The discovery of a new giant dinosaur in Thailand is drawing attention from the scientific community, not only because of the animal’s impressive size, but also because of what it reveals about prehistoric life in Southeast Asia. The find helps to better understand which species inhabited that region millions of years ago and shows that there is still much to be discovered in the Asian fossil record.
An international team of paleontologists has identified a new species of long-necked dinosaur, now believed to be the largest ever found in Southeast Asia. The animal received the scientific name Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis and would have lived during the Early Cretaceous, around 100 to 120 million years ago, according to the study published in the journal .
According to (UCL), which led the investigation in collaboration with Thai institutions, the Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis it could reach around 27 meters in length and weigh approximately 27 tons. It is a weight comparable to that of nine adult Asian elephants, which gives an idea of the size of this prehistoric animal.
The estimate was made after analyzing several bones, including parts of the spine, ribs, pelvis and leg bones. Among the remains studied was a 1.78 meter long front paw bone, practically the height of an adult person.
The chosen name also has cultural significance. “Naga” refers to a mythological aquatic serpent present in Thai and Southeast Asian folklore, while “titan” evokes the giants of Greek mythology. “chaiyaphumensis” means “from Chaiyaphum”, the Thai province where the fossils were found.
Why is it called the “last titan”
Researchers refer to this dinosaur as Thailand’s “last titan” because it was discovered in the country’s newest rock formation with dinosaur fossils. According to Thitiwoot Sethapanichsakul, lead author of the study and a doctoral candidate at UCL Earth Sciences, younger rocks are unlikely to preserve similar remains, as the region later turned into a shallow sea.
This means that the Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis it could be the last, or at least the most recent, large sauropod found in Southeast Asia. The conclusion makes the discovery particularly relevant for understanding the final phase of the presence of these enormous herbivores in the region.
The scientific study classifies the animal as a somphospondylian sauropod, within the Euhelopodidae group, a lineage of large herbivorous dinosaurs found only in Asia. The investigation also states that the Nagatitan It is distinguished from other species by its own characteristics in the spine, pelvis and legs.
A hot, dry environment crossed by rivers
During the Early Cretaceous, the area where the animal lived would have had an arid or semi-arid environment. According to UCL, this type of habitat appeared to favor sauropods, which could use the large surface area of their neck and tail to release heat and help regulate body temperature.
The area where the fossils were found would also be part of a winding river system. This environment would have been inhabited by fish, freshwater sharks and crocodiles, as well as other large herbivorous and carnivorous dinosaurs.
Despite its impressive size, this animal was not the largest sauropod known in the world. Thitiwoot Sethapanichsakul explained that the new dinosaur was large “by most people’s standards,” but still fell short of giants like the Patagotitanestimated at around 60 tons, or the Ruyangosaurusweighing around 50 tons.
Thailand gains prominence in paleontology
The research involved scientists from University College London, Mahasarakham University, Suranaree University of Technology and the Sirindhorn Museum in Thailand. The scientific article was published on May 14 in the journal Scientific Reports.
The team itself highlights that Thailand, despite being a relatively small country within the Asian continent, has a great diversity of dinosaur fossils. Sita Manitkoon, a researcher at Mahasarakham University and National Geographic Explorer, said the country may have the third highest abundance of dinosaur remains in Asia.
The researcher also remembers that the study of dinosaurs in Thailand has only been around 40 years, since the first species was named in 1986. Since then, a new generation of Thai paleontologists has emerged committed to developing this scientific area and giving greater international visibility to the fossils found in the country.
Reconstruction is already on display
A full-size reconstruction of the Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis is now on display at the Thainosaur Museum in Asiatique, Bangkok. For researchers, this discovery not only adds a new species to the list of known dinosaurs, but also helps to better understand the evolution of large herbivores in Southeast Asia.
The work received funding from the National Geographic Society, in addition to support from Mahasarakham University, the Geological Society of Thailand and the Royal Society. According to the study published in Scientific Reports, the fossils analyzed resulted from excavations and work carried out between 2016 and 2024 in the town of Ban Pha Nang Sua.
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