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New Dinosaur Species Discovered in Thailand: 'Nakaraptor Chaiyaphumensis'

New Dinosaur Species Discovered in Thailand: 'Nakaraptor Chaiyaphumensis'

Khaosod•Society•19h ago

Reader Briefing

New dinosaur species, 'Nakaraptor Chaiyaphumensis', Thailand's 14th, discovered in Chaiyaphum, estimated at 27 meters long.

  • •The Department of Mineral Resources has officially announced the discovery of a new dinosaur species in Thailand.
  • •Named 'Nakaraptor Chaiyaphumensis', it is the 14th dinosaur species found in Thailand and is estimated to be the largest in Southeast Asia.
  • •The fossils, found in Chaiyaphum Province, date back approximately 110 million years to the Early Cretaceous period.
  • •This discovery is expected to enhance geological and paleontological knowledge and potentially boost tourism in Chaiyaphum.

Overview

  • •The Department of Mineral Resources, in collaboration with Chaiyaphum Province and universities, announced the discovery of a new dinosaur species.
  • •The new species has been named 'Nakaraptor Chaiyaphumensis'.
  • •Fossils were discovered in 2016 (2016) and announced on January 30, 2026 (2026).
  • •'Nakaraptor Chaiyaphumensis' is the 14th dinosaur species discovered in Thailand.
  • •Estimated to be 27 meters long and weigh approximately 26 tons, it is considered the largest dinosaur in Thailand and Southeast Asia.
  • •The fossils belong to the Somphospondyli group within the Graveyard Formation, dating to the Early Cretaceous period, around 110 million years ago.
  • •The discovery is expected to enhance geological and paleontological knowledge and promote sustainable conservation and research.
  • •The Department of Mineral Resources will protect and conserve the fossils according to the Fossil Protection Act B.E. 2008 (2008) and support further research.

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Key Quotes

Yongyuth Nakawirot
"This discovery is important evidence reflecting Thailand's biodiversity and past environment."
การค้นพบครั้งนี้นับเป็นหลักฐานสำคัญที่สะท้อนถึงความหลากหลายทางชีวภาพและสภาพแวดล้อมในอดีตของประเทศไทย

Key Entities

Organization

Department of Mineral Resources(กรมทรัพยากรธรณี)ℹ️
The governmental organization that announced the discovery of the new dinosaur species 'Nakaraptor Chaiyaphumensis'.
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment(กระทรวงทรัพยากรธรรมชาติและสิ่งแวดล้อม)ℹ️
The ministry overseeing the Department of Mineral Resources, involved in the announcement of the new dinosaur species.
Mahasarakham University(มหาวิทยาลัยมหาสารคาม)ℹ️
University that collaborated with the Department of Mineral Resources in the research and announcement of the new dinosaur species.
Suranaree University of Technology(มหาวิทยาลัยเทคโนโลยีสุรนารี)ℹ️
University that collaborated with the Department of Mineral Resources in the research and announcement of the new dinosaur species.
National Geographicℹ️
Organization that provided funding support for 'Project Thaitan', which led to the discovery of 'Nakaraptor Chaiyaphumensis'.
University College Londonℹ️
Institution that collaborated with the Department of Mineral Resources and Mahasarakham University in the research of 'Nakaraptor Chaiyaphumensis'.

Place

Chaiyaphum Province(ชัยภูมิ)ℹ️
The province in Thailand where the new dinosaur species 'Nakaraptor Chaiyaphumensis' was discovered.
Sirindhorn Museum(พิพิธภัณฑ์สิรินธร)
The location in Kalasin Province where the press conference for the discovery of 'Nakaraptor Chaiyaphumensis' was held.

Person

Mr. Yongyuth Nakawirot(นายยงยุทธ นาควิโรจน์)
Director-General of the Department of Mineral Resources, who made statements regarding the discovery of 'Nakaraptor Chaiyaphumensis'.

Context

Khok Kruat Formation(หมวดหินโคกกรวด)
Geological formation from which the fossils of 'Nakaraptor Chaiyaphumensis' originated, dating to the Early Cretaceous period.
Sao Khua Formation(หมวดหินเสาขัว)
Geological formation in Thailand where fossils of Phuwiangosaurus were found, related to 'Nakaraptor Chaiyaphumensis'.

Law

Fossil Protection Act B.E. 2008(พระราชบัญญัติคุ้มครองซากดึกดำบรรพ์ พ.ศ. 2008)
The law under which the Department of Mineral Resources is responsible for protecting and conserving fossils, including those of 'Nakaraptor Chaiyaphumensis'.