The government is exploring legal measures to safeguard six dinosaur footprints, estimated to be 120 million years old, located in Udon Thani, in order to preserve the ancient evidence from potential harm.
Lalida Persvivatana, deputy government spokesperson, stated that Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin directed the Department of Mineral Resources to confirm the discovery and implement protective actions under the Fossil Protection Act 2008.
The footprints were discovered within Phu Hin Chom That-Phu Phra Bat National Park in Ban Phue district. They belong to a bipedal carnivorous theropod dinosaur and are preserved as a single trackway in sandstone from the Phu Phan Formation, originating from the Early Cretaceous period.
The finding has been verified by specialists, marking the first documented occurrence of theropod footprints in the province, according to Nipon Jumnongsirisak, deputy permanent secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and acting director-general of the department.
Each footprint spans 29 centimetres in length and 26cm in width, featuring three distinct pointed toes. Scientists estimate the dinosaur stood approximately 1.42 metres high at the hip and reached about 6.3 metres in length, placing it in size comparison with Siamotyrannus isanensis, another theropod previously found in Thailand.
Ms Lalida emphasized that the law classifies fossils to include traces of prehistoric life, not only bones and teeth. As such, the footprints are eligible for legal protection despite the absence of any dinosaur skeleton at the site.
She noted that protective actions may be initiated even prior to formal registration of the fossil site.
The ongoing process does not constitute official registration nor grant permission to develop the location into a tourist destination.
The government is also exploring the site’s potential for geological research, educational initiatives, and tourism, with a strong emphasis on conservation and strategies to mitigate harm from visitors and water erosion.
Ms Lalida encouraged anyone who finds possible fossils to report it to their local administrative body or municipal authority, and stressed the importance of not excavating, relocating, or damaging any suspected remains.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.Syndigate.info).
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