Northeastern Thailand is driving a prehistoric fossil boom, uncovering at least 25 dinosaur species across the Khorat Plateau over the last five decades. As researchers near a potential 16th newly identified species, the government is preparing a December 2026 geo-tourism festival to turn its ancient heritage into an international attraction.
Prehistoric discoveries across the sun-baked soil of northeastern Thailand have transformed the region into a premier destination for palaeontological research. Most fossils are unearthed in Phu Wiang National Park, an area in the Khorat Plateau that is frequently referred to as Thailand’s Jurassic Park. Thitiwoot Sethapanichsakul, a PhD student from University College London, notes that the dry climate and sparse vegetation leave fossil-bearing rocks exposed and accessible for fieldwork.
Fifty Years of Excavations Across the Khorat Plateau
Systematic excavations across the region began following the monumental first discovery of a dinosaur fossil in the Phu Wiang Valley in 1976, an effort initially sparked by uranium exploration. Over the past five decades, these surveys have unveiled at least 25 species in the country, including 14 species new to science. Among the named prehistoric giants are Siamotyrannus isanensis, Isanosaurus attavipachi, Phuwiangosaurus sirindhornae, and Siamraptor suwati.
Research momentum has accelerated significantly in recent months. Prehistoric specimens unearthed in the region were identified this year as two distinct new species: Southeast Asia’s largest dinosaur, the 27-tonne herbivore Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis, which lived 100 to 120 million years ago, and the long-necked plant-eater Uragasaurus kalasinensis, which reached up to 20 metres in length and roamed the Earth around 150 million years ago.
Filling the Jurassic and Cretaceous Evolutionary Gap
While countries like China, Mongolia, and Russia remain major fossil-hunting grounds, researchers emphasize that Thailand’s geological layers provide critical evidence for understanding prehistoric evolution.
“Our local dinosaurs are like missing jigsaw pieces that help establish evolutionary connections, particularly around the Jurassic and Cretaceous period transition, approximately 140 million years ago.”
Suravech Suteethorn, deputy director of the Palaeontological Research and Education Centre at Mahasarakham University
Visiting international researchers also highlight the country’s unique contributions to the field. Richard Cloutier, a professor of palaeontology visiting from Canada’s Université du Québec à Rimouski, observed that Thailand really is the hotspot for research and discovery in Southeast Asia. Mahasarakham University currently leads field efforts, with researchers storing jagged pieces of spines, necks, and legs on laboratory shelves while awaiting formal verification.
The Hunt for Thailand’s 16th New Species
Researchers at Phu Wiang National Park are actively uncovering new specimens that could soon expand the nation’s roster of official species. Working under a makeshift roof to escape monsoon rains, veteran palaeontologist Varavudh Suteethorn and his son Suravech are excavating the giant neck of a fossil they hope to confirm soon.
While many specimens confirmed this year were unearthed a decade or more ago, funding for palaeontology remains limited, and expeditions into remote areas involve significant costs. Despite these financial hurdles, the research team anticipates continued momentum. Thitiwoot Sethapanichsakul noted that the current dinosaur rush in Thailand is hopefully just the beginning.
Tourism Initiatives and the 2026 Festival Strategy
To capitalize on the scientific momentum, the Thai government is working to translate fossil discoveries into educational and economic assets. The Department of Mineral Resources, backed by the Fossil Management Fund, is promoting fossil surveys, museum development, and public learning. International cooperation is expanding under the Thai-Japan Technical Cooperation 2022-2027 framework, which covers joint fieldwork, specimen data standardization, and researcher development.
Thailand is benchmarking its museum development against Japan’s Fukui model, which integrates excavation sites, university research, professional training, and regional tourism to attract roughly one million visitors annually. Local institutions such as the Sirindhorn Museum in Kalasin—which opened in 2007 and draws hundreds of thousands of visitors yearly—are central to this strategy.
As part of its 50th anniversary initiatives, the government plans to launch the Creative Dinosaur and Geopark Tourism Festival in December 2026. The event aims to embed a distinct dinosaur identity into the culture of provinces like Khon Kaen and Kalasin through theme parks, prehistoric gastronomy, fashion runways, and music festivals, creating a sustainable economic engine for the Northeast.
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