Thailand Identifies 27-Tonne Nagatitan as Southeast Asia’s Largest Dinosaur After 10-Year Study
Updated
Updated · spacedaily.com · May 20
Thailand Identifies 27-Tonne Nagatitan as Southeast Asia’s Largest Dinosaur After 10-Year Study
10 articles · Updated · spacedaily.com · May 20
A peer-reviewed paper published May 14 identified Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis, a new sauropod from Thailand estimated at 27 meters long and 27 metric tons—the largest dinosaur yet found in Southeast Asia.
The find capped a decade of work after a local resident spotted oversized bones at a Chaiyaphum pond in 2016; excavations ran from 2016 to 2019, with additional fieldwork continuing in 2024.
Recovered fossils included vertebrae, ribs, pelvic bones and leg bones, including a 1.78-meter humerus; comparisons of its spine, pelvis and limbs placed the species in the Asian sauropod group Euhelopodidae.
The fossils came from Thailand’s youngest dinosaur-bearing rocks, the Khok Kruat Formation, dated to about 100 million to 120 million years ago, leading researchers to dub it the region’s possible 'last titan.'
Nagatitan is bigger than any of the 13 previously identified Thai dinosaur species, though still far smaller than global giants such as Patagotitan, estimated at about 60 metric tons.
Was this giant dinosaur truly the last of its kind, or does an even bigger secret lie buried in Thailand?
What anatomical secrets allowed this 27-ton giant to thrive in the sweltering heat of prehistoric Thailand?
Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis: Southeast Asia’s Largest Dinosaur Unveiled After a Decade-Long Discovery in Thailand
Overview
The official naming of Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis in May 2026 marked the culmination of a decade-long journey that began with its discovery in 2016. This colossal sauropod, unearthed in Thailand, represents a major addition to our understanding of prehistoric life in Southeast Asia. The research was supported by the National Geographic Society through Project Thaitan, launched in 2024, which aimed to study and conserve the fossil site. The project also fostered collaboration with local communities, highlighting the importance of teamwork and scientific engagement in uncovering and preserving such significant paleontological finds.