Thai and British paleontologists have announced the discovery of a new long-necked dinosaur species, Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis, now recognized as the largest titanosauriform ever discovered in Thailand and Southeast Asia.

The fossil was unearthed in Ban Phanang Suea, Chaiyaphum Province, through a collaborative study involving Thailand’s Department of Mineral Resources, Mahasarakham University, and University College London. The findings were formally published in the scientific journal Scientific Reports on 14 May 2026.

The name “Nagatitan” combines the Thai word “Naga,” a mythical serpent in Thai culture, with “Titan,” derived from the Greek word for giant. The dinosaur is estimated to be approximately 27 meters in length and weighed around 26 tons, making it the largest terrestrial animal ever known to have inhabited what is now Thailand. It is the 14th new dinosaur species identified in Thailand to be entirely new to science.

The discovery began in 2016 when a local villager found unusual fossil-like rocks near a public pond during the dry season and informed authorities. Excavations later revealed fossil remains buried in rock layers dating back 115–100 million years to the Early Cretaceous period. Researchers recovered key bones, including vertebrae, ribs, and leg bones more than two meters long, confirming that the fossils belonged to a previously unknown giant sauropod dinosaur.

The discovery marks a major milestone for Thai paleontology, reinforcing Thailand’s growing prominence in global fossil research. Beyond its scientific significance, the finding underscores the value of collaboration between local communities, government institutions, and international researchers, while helping stimulate broader public interest in geology, paleontology, and Thailand’s prehistoric heritage.

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