Palaeontologists in Thailand have identified a new dinosaur species, Uragasaurus kalasinensis, based on fossils uncovered in Kalasin Province in the country’s north-east, the plant-eating dinosaur is believed to have lived approximately 150 million years ago.

Unique Fossil Discovery

The newly discovered dinosaur. Uragasaurus kalasinensis, is notable for its exceptionally long neck and a total length of up to 20m (66ft), roughly the same as a cricket pitch. Dr Apirut Nilpanapan from Thailand’s Mahasarakham University, the lead author of the study, shared with BBC Thai that the specimen was part of a large fossil collection from a site first identified in 2008. A local man discovered fragments resembling serpent scales at that time.

The site, known as Phu Noi, is rich in fossils from the Late Jurassic period. More than 90% of the fossils excavated there are dinosaur fragments. When the survey team visited the site, they found other remains, including dinosaur teeth and bones.

A CT scan revealed that the dinosaur belonged to the Mamenchisauridae family of sauropod dinosaurs, known for their extremely long necks, which likely helped them reach vegetation at different heights. The fossil that led to the identification of the new species was a recovered dorsal vertebra, a bone from the middle or upper back — with distinctive characteristics.

Thailand’s First Mamenchisauridae

While most fossils from the Mamenchisauridae family have been found in China, this discovery marks the first of its kind in Thailand. The scan also uncovered unique features, including a Y-shaped arrangement of supporting bones known as laminae. Dr Nilpanapan noted that the features, particularly a unique air-cavity structure, were “unlike any other dinosaur in the world… That’s what sets it apart.”

He shared that the moment he realized they had discovered a new species, he was so overwhelmed that he smashed his computer. “I felt both exhilarated and relieved,” he told BBC Thai. The study was published in the Nature scientific journal earlier this week.

Recent Dinosaur Discoveries in Thailand

In May, scientists identified another long-necked herbivore dinosaur in Thailand, the nagatitan. This dinosaur is the largest ever found in South-East Asia, weighing 27 tonnes, equivalent to nine adult Asian elephants, and measuring 27m (88ft) in length. This recent discovery adds to the growing list of significant finds in the region.

Additional reporting was conducted by Jiraporn Sricham.