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Science
Jun 01, 2026
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Scientists Identify Massive New Dinosaur Species in Thailand

AI Summary
Researchers have described a new giant sauropod, *Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis*, from northeast Thailand, estimating its length at 27 metres and weight at 27 tonnes—roughly the mass of nine adult elephants. The find marks the largest dinosaur ever recorded in Southeast Asia and reshapes understanding of the region’s Cretaceous ecosystems.

Scientists have unveiled a new giant sauropod from Thailand, naming it Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis. The discovery, detailed in Scientific Reports, positions the species as the largest known dinosaur from Southeast Asia and offers fresh clues about the region’s prehistoric environment.

Discovery of Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis in Northeast Thailand

The fossil remains were first spotted by local residents a decade ago in the Chaiyaphum province, but systematic excavation only concluded in 2024. The specimen, recovered from one of the youngest Thai rock formations, displayed unique skeletal features that warranted classification as a new species within the sauropod lineage.

Size and Weight Estimates Put Nagatitan Among the Largest Sauropods

Measurements indicate the herbivore stretched 27 metres (89 feet) long and weighed about 27 tonnes, comparable to the mass of nine adult elephants. Researchers note it likely outweighed the famous Diplodocus cast “Dippy” at the Natural History Museum by at least 10 tonnes. The animal is dated to have roamed the area between 100 and 120 million years ago, during the mid‑Cretaceous.

Implications for Southeast Asian Paleontology and Regional Heritage

As the biggest dinosaur ever found in Southeast Asia, Nagatitan expands the known geographic range of late‑surviving sauropods, which were thought to have largely disappeared from the region when it became a shallow sea in the Cretaceous. The find underscores Thailand’s growing importance as a paleontological hotspot and adds to the modest list of 14 named Thai dinosaurs.

Future Research Directions and Tourist Opportunities

Lead author Thitiwoot Sethapanichsakul—a University College London PhD student—suggests further fieldwork could clarify the dinosaur’s feeding habits, which likely involved bulk browsing of conifers and seed ferns. A life‑size reconstruction now stands at Bangkok’s Thainosaur Museum, hinting at increased scientific tourism and educational outreach in the region.