Southeast Asia's Largest Dinosaur, Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis, Discovered in Thailand

Scientists have officially identified a new dinosaur species, Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis, as the largest ever found in Southeast Asia. Discovered ten years ago in Chaiyaphum province, northeastern Thailand, the fossilized remains were analyzed by researchers from University College London and several Thai universities. The sauropod, which lived during the Early Cretaceous period approximately 100 to 120 million years ago, is estimated to have weighed 27 tonnes and measured 27 meters in length, comparable to nine adult Asian elephants or a blue whale. This discovery marks the 14th unique dinosaur species found in the region. Lead author Thitiwoot Sethapanichsakul describes it as the last large sauropod likely to be found in Thailand, as younger rock formations in the area were submerged under shallow seas. The find highlights the rich paleontological history of Chaiyaphum and underscores the importance of international collaboration in advancing the understanding of Southeast Asian prehistoric ecosystems. The study aims to bring greater international recognition to the region's significant contributions to global paleobiology.