Thailand has unveiled a prehistoric giant: Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis, the largest dinosaur ever discovered in Southeast Asia. The newly identified long-necked sauropod roamed the region roughly 100 to 120 million years ago, stretching nearly 90 feet and weighing around 30 tons. It's estimated that the creature may have weighed as much as nine adult elephants.
First spotted in 2016 by a local resident in Chaiyaphum province, the massive fossil find included a front leg bone nearly six feet long. Researchers later used additional spine, rib, pelvis, and limb remains to estimate its immense size.
Named for both its scale and local mythology, Nagatitan combines “Naga,” the legendary serpent of Southeast Asian folklore, with “Titan.” Scientists say the discovery offers a rare glimpse into the evolution of giant sauropods and underscores Thailand’s surprisingly rich dinosaur history. A life-sized reconstruction is now on display at Bangkok’s Thainosaur Museum (pictured above).