Scientists have identified the largest dinosaur ever discovered in Southeast Asia from fossils found in Thailand, shedding new light on prehistoric life in the region.
The massive long-necked herbivore, a sauropod named Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis, is estimated to have lived between 100 and 120 million years ago during the Cretaceous period. Researchers say it is the largest dinosaur species ever identified in Southeast Asia.
Read More: Japanese scientists find new dinosaur species
According to a study published in the journal Scientific Reports, the dinosaur measured around 27 metres (88 feet) in length and weighed approximately 27 tonnes—roughly equivalent to nine adult Asian elephants.
A giant new dinosaur species has been identified from fossils discovered in Thailand.
Named the “Nagatitan,” it is believed to be the largest dinosaur ever found in Southeast Asia, weighing around 27 tonnes and stretching nearly 27 meters long. Scientists say this dino lived… pic.twitter.com/rPwDGNiE0f
— Nature is Amazing ☘️ (@AMAZlNGNATURE) May 14, 2026
Lead researcher Thitiwoot Sethapanichsakul described the creature as exceptionally large, noting that it likely weighed at least 10 tonnes more than the famous Diplodocus skeleton displayed at London’s Natural History Museum.
He referred to the newly discovered species as “the last titan,” explaining that it was found in one of the youngest rock formations in Thailand known to contain dinosaur fossils. Scientists believe the region later became a shallow sea, suggesting this may be among the final giant sauropods to have existed in Southeast Asia.
The first remains were discovered around a decade ago by local residents in northeastern Thailand. However, full excavation work was only completed in 2024, allowing researchers to properly analyse the fossils and confirm that they belonged to a previously unknown species.
Although the remains share similarities with other sauropods, distinct anatomical features confirmed that it represents a new species. The dinosaur has been named after “Naga,” a serpent from Southeast Asian mythology, combined with references to Greek titan legends and Thailand’s Chaiyaphum province, where it was found.
Read More: In lean times, fierce dinosaur Allosaurus resorted to cannibalism
A life-size reconstruction of the dinosaur is currently displayed at Bangkok’s Thainosaur Museum, offering visitors a glimpse into the region’s ancient prehistoric past.
Scientists say the discovery highlights the rich and still-unfolding fossil record of Southeast Asia, with potential for further significant finds in the future.