Either you’re a paleontology enthusiast or get fascinated by the gigantic creatures, who used to be the ancient inhabitants of our land, then Thailand has got it all. And not just any fossil remains; instead, be prepared to be astonished by the vast conservation of Thailand’s largest dinosaur remains. So, let’s check out the fun facts, in detail about the dinosaur parks and much more in this blog below.
Firstly, here comes a little brief about the Khon Kaen Province, a place where most dinosaur remains are found.
Khon Kaen Province
Khon Kaen is a major province of Isan and located in the northeast side of the region. Being a popular tourist destination, the place boasts several outstanding attractions with Thailand’s largest dinosaur remains being the main highlight. Apart from this, the province also houses luxurious accommodations, shops, chic cafes, and serves as the best place to spend a vacation in the country.
Furthermore, getting around the province is much easier. Thanks to the city bus which offers pick and drop service from the Isan airport and offers city tours, including the famous dinosaur parks.
Popular Dinosaur Parks & Museums
After a thorough research, we have compiled a list of popular dino museums, which you can explore on your trip to Thailand
Si Wiang Dinosaur Park
Si Wiang Dinosaur Park is a well-known tourist attraction. It is located in Mueang Kao Phatthana Sub-district of Khon Kaen Province, on the road to the Phu Wiang National Park. In addition, the park features various spots for relaxation, including a health garden, waterfall, pond, playground and over hundred statues of giant concrete dinosaur statues, plus a few animatronic ones.
The best part is that a few of them can even move and make sounds like real dinosaurs, once a coin is inserted into the machine. These statues represent Thailand’s largest dinosaur remains discovered in the northeastern region of the country. If you’re thinking about how to reach there, then take the road leading to Phu Wiang National Park, from Khon Kaen town to Phu Wiang District, for about 70 kilometers.
- Location: M8HR+436, Mueang Kao Phatthana, Wiang Kao District, Khon Kaen, Thailand
- Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 8.30 am- 4.30 pm
Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum
It’s one of the largest paleontology sites in Isan and was founded by the corporation between Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Department of Mineral Resources. This museum significantly assisted in initiating research and publicly dissipating mineral resource knowledge and promoted sustainable tourism.
Phu Wiang Fossil Research Center and Dinosaur museum is located in Tambon Nai Mueang. It is a resource center for learning geology, natural science, and fossils. There is also a conference room, cafeteria, and souvenir shop, from where you can purchase several items. Moreover, to reach this museum, you can take the same route as the Si Wiang Dinosaur Park.
On another note, the exhibition is divided into 5 zones including:
Zone 1: The Origin of the Universe, The Evolution of Life, and The Story of Dinosaurs around the World
Zone 2: Dinosaur Fossils at Phu Wiang
Zone 3: Laboratory and Collections Room
Zone 4: Dinosaur Park
Zone 5: Tertiary Rocks and Mineral Benefits, and a Room in Honor of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
- Location: M7H8+5R7, Nai Mueang, Wiang Kao District, Khon Kaen, Thailand
- Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday (Monday closed) 9.30 am- 4.30 pm
Phu Wiang National Park
Phu Wiang National Park is a mountain range surrounded in a circle on 2 levels. In the middle is a large basin like a pan, which is a flat and undulating slope and the surrounding area is a mountain range which is angled towards the center of the basin. Furthermore, it consists of mountains with moderate to steep slopes, where most of the outer mountain range has a peak of 844 meters above middle sea level.
In the area of the inner mountain range, there comes a source of Thailand’s largest dinosaur remains. The lowest level of the foothills is 210 meters above sea level. Moreover, it’s best known for housing numerous dinosaur bone paleontological sites and is considered as one of the world’s largest dinosaur graveyards. In 1996, the remains of Siamotyrannus isanensis, a new family of carnivorous thunder lizards, were unearthed in the park.
- Location: M6JP+CRQ, Nai Mueang, Wiang Kao District, Khon Kaen, Thailand
- Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 8.30 am- 4.30 pm
Accommodations in Khon Kaen Province
Weerawadee Place
Address- Tambon Mueang Kao, Mueang Khon Kaen District, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Price- USD 50
Pullman Khon Kaen Raja Orchid
Address- 9-9 Prachasumran Road Nai Muang, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Price- USD 75
Avani Khon Kaen Hotel & Conservation Center
Address- Thanon Prachasamoson, Mueang Khon Kaen District, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Price- USD 90
Kosa Hotel Khon Kaen
Address- Sri Chant Rd, Nai Mueang, Mueang Khon Kaen District, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Price- USD 59
Resort Baan Sasithorn
Address- Chumchon Samphan 38/1, T. Pralap A.Muang, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Price- USD 46
Other Attractions in Khon Kaen Province
Nam Phong National Park
Nam Phong national park covers parts of Ubonrat, Ban Fang, Nong Rua, Manjakili, and Kok Po districts in Khon Kaen province; and some parts of Taen and Kaeng Kro districts in Chaiyaphum province. This beautiful park is considered as the headwaters of several river streams, including Nam Phong river which flows into Ubonrat dam lake. The area is mostly covered by the dipterocarp forest.
Ubol Ratana Dam
Ubol Ratana Dam is the first multi-purpose dam of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) in the northeastern part of Thailand. The dam is also the control center of the electricity generation of the Northeast. The dam construction was completed in 1965. Ubol Ratana Dam, originally known as “Phong Neep Dam.
Conclusion
So, this was all about Thailand’s largest dinosaur remains for now. In this blog, we explained about the country’s major dinosaur district, Khao Kaen Province. Furthermore, we spot a light on primary dinosaur parks where the largest fossil remains of this million years old creature is found and has been conserved.
