Thailand Palaeontology Research Centre at Mahasarakham University has formally identified a new long-necked dinosaur species—the 15th officially recognized dinosaur found in Thailand—marking the first Mamenchisauridae family member ever formally named in Southeast Asia.
The discovery, published in Scientific Reports on July 8, places Thailand's fossil-rich northeast on the global map for Late Jurassic paleontology and expands the known geographic range of a dinosaur family previously thought to be concentrated almost exclusively in China.
Why This Matters
• Geographic first: Uragasaurus kalasinensis is the first formally named Mamenchisaurid in Southeast Asia, proving this long-necked group lived far beyond their known Chinese heartland 150 million years ago.
• Research continuity: Mahasarakham University's team collaborates with researchers from Europe, the United States, and Asia, positioning Thailand as a serious player in international paleontology.
• Fossil site significance: Kalasin province's Phu Noi fossil site has yielded over 6,000 fossil fragments, making it one of Southeast Asia's most important paleontological locations.
• Unique anatomy: CT scans revealed a honeycomb-like internal bone structure never documented in any other dinosaur species worldwide, offering clues to how giant sauropods reduced skeletal weight while maintaining strength.
What the Discovery Reveals
Researchers unearthed the specimen at the Phu Noi paleontological site in Kham Muang District, Kalasin province, within the Phu Kradung Formation—a geological layer dating to approximately 150 million years ago during the Late Jurassic period. Assistant Professor Dr. Komsorn Lauprasert supervised doctoral candidate Apirut Nilpanaphun, who led the identification effort.
Uragasaurus kalasinensis belongs to the herbivorous sauropod lineage, characterized by an extraordinarily elongated neck that accounts for nearly half its total body length. The creature likely measured 20 meters from snout to tail tip and roamed ancient floodplain ecosystems alongside crocodiles, turtles, freshwater sharks, lungfish, amphibians, and early flying reptiles.
The name Uragasaurus comes from Sanskrit and Greek roots: "uraga" (serpent) and "saurus" (lizard or reptile), reflecting the snake-like flexibility of its extreme neck length. The species epithet kalasinensis honors Kalasin province, where the fossils emerged.
Anatomical Breakthroughs in Bone Structure
Thailand-based paleontologists employed CT scanning technology to examine the vertebrae, revealing an internal architecture resembling a honeycomb—a camellate structure that dramatically reduces bone mass without sacrificing structural integrity. This adaptation likely enabled the animal to support its immense neck while browsing on high vegetation.
Additional distinctive features include air pockets at the tips of transverse processes and a Y-shaped bone plate connecting the front vertebral joints to the upper walls of the spinal canal. These anatomical markers differentiate Uragasaurus from all previously documented sauropod species and suggest specialized biomechanics for neck movement and weight distribution.
Southeast Asia's Growing Dinosaur Roster
The Kalasin discovery arrives months after Thailand announced Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis—the 14th officially recognized Thai dinosaur and the largest sauropod ever found in Southeast Asia. Unearthed in Chaiyaphum province's Nong Bua Rawe District, Nagatitan lived during the Early Cretaceous period (100–115 million years ago) and measured an estimated 27–30 meters in length, with a mass exceeding 26 tonnes—roughly twice the size of Tyrannosaurus rex.
Nagatitan belongs to the Titanosauriformes group and was identified by a joint Thai-British team from Mahasarakham University's Palaeontological Research Centre and the Thailand Department of Mineral Resources. Dr. Sita Manitkul led the research project, with senior geologists Sason Khansupah and Choetchan Phothichaiya contributing expertise.
The Phu Noi site in Kalasin has also yielded Minimocursor phunoiensis, a small herbivorous dinosaur representing the oldest known member of that lineage in Southeast Asia.
How You Can Experience This Discovery
If you live in or are visiting Thailand's northeastern provinces, several dinosaur-related attractions are now open to explore:
• Phu Wiang National Park, Khon Kaen: The region's premier destination features exhibits, fossil trails, and guided tours. Open daily; admission approximately ฿400. Best visited during the cooler months (October–February).
• Sirindhorn Museum, Kalasin: Located in Kham Muang District near the Phu Noi site, this museum houses hundreds of specimens. The museum offers regular guided tours in Thai and English; advance booking recommended for group visits.
• Chaiyaphum Fossil Park: This newly developed interpretive center showcases Nagatitan and local Cretaceous fauna with interactive displays and outdoor dig-site simulations.
Practical information for residents: Many sites offer volunteer opportunities during field seasons (June–August). Contact Mahasarakham University's Palaeontological Research Centre directly to inquire about participation. Local schools can arrange group educational visits, with special programs designed for students aged 10–18. Transportation from regional hubs like Khon Kaen or Udon Thani takes 1.5–2 hours by car; guided tour packages typically cost ฿800–฿2,000 per person.
Evolutionary Context and Geographic Spread
Mamenchisaurids were previously known almost exclusively from Middle to Late Jurassic deposits in China, where species such as Mamenchisaurus sinocanadorum demonstrated neck lengths exceeding 15 meters. The Kalasin discovery confirms this family ranged at least as far south as present-day Thailand during the Late Jurassic, suggesting broader habitat ranges than fossil records had previously indicated.
The Late Jurassic Phu Kradung Formation preserves a humid, river-dominated ecosystem supporting diverse vertebrates. This biodiversity suggests stable water sources and abundant vegetation—ideal conditions for large herbivorous dinosaurs.
Research Roadmap and International Collaboration
Mahasarakham University has committed to continued fieldwork at Phu Noi and other northeastern sites. The university's Palaeontological Research Centre operates in partnership with institutions across Europe, the United States, and Asia, focusing on three main areas:
Evolutionary relationships: Determining how Southeast Asian sauropods relate to Chinese, Indian, and African lineages.
Palaeoecology: Reconstructing ancient climate, vegetation, and predator-prey dynamics.
Biomechanics: Understanding locomotion, feeding strategies, and the structural engineering of ultra-long necks.
The Thailand Department of Mineral Resources has increased protective measures at key fossil sites, with criminal penalties for unauthorized excavation. Local residents are encouraged to report new discoveries to authorities, with financial rewards offered for significant finds.
Looking Ahead
The identification of Uragasaurus kalasinensis underscores Thailand's capacity to contribute original, high-impact paleontological research. As field surveys continue and new technologies enable finer-grained anatomical analysis, additional species discoveries appear likely. The Thailand government's commitment to fossil heritage protection, combined with Mahasarakham University's international partnerships, positions the country as a regional leader in ancient life sciences—a status that promises both academic prestige and practical benefits for northeastern provinces developing science-based tourism and education infrastructure.
