Story perspectives

Thailand Unveils 27-Meter Sauropod, SE Asia's Largest Dinosaur

5/22/2026

Summary

Scientists Discover Dinosaur

Scientists in Thailand announced the discovery of a new sauropod species, Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis.
The fossils, recovered from the Khok Kruat Formation, date to roughly 100-120 million years ago.
At about 27 meters long and 27 metric tons, Nagatitan is the largest known dinosaur in Southeast Asia.
A 1.78-meter humerus and other bones were first spotted in 2016, with the species formally identified in 2026 after ten years of work.

Summary

Thai Team Names

The new dinosaur species was named “chaiyaphumensis,” directly referencing Chaiyaphum province in Thailand.
The name follows zoological conventions while deliberately honoring local geography as a cultural gesture.
The research team combined Thai paleontologists with scientists from University College London, Mahasarakham University, Suranaree University of Technology, and the Sirindhorn Museum.
The multinational collaboration demonstrated Thailand’s growing role in global paleontology and fostered knowledge exchange across institutions.

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Scientists Discover Dinosaur

Scientists in Thailand announced the discovery of a new sauropod species, Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis.
The fossils, recovered from the Khok Kruat Formation, date to roughly 100-120 million years ago.
At about 27 meters long and 27 metric tons, Nagatitan is the largest known dinosaur in Southeast Asia.
A 1.78-meter humerus and other bones were first spotted in 2016, with the species formally identified in 2026 after ten years of work.

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