Udon Thani Official Discovers 120-Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Tracks
Udon Thani municipal official Pichet Prathesena discovered large dinosaur footprints while visiting Tad Noi Waterfall in Ban Phue district. Experts confirmed the tracks belong to a theropod dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 120 million years ago, and are larger than previous finds in Khon Kaen. Pichet will receive an award from Minister Suchat Chomklin in Bangkok, and the site may become a new tourist attraction for Udon Thani.
Udon Thani municipal official Pichet Prathesena, 32, took his family to visit Tad Noi Waterfall in Ban Phue district where he spotted unusual rock markings. He photographed them and posted in a social media group asking whether they were dinosaur footprints, and the post went viral across the country. Officials from the Department of Mineral Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, sent experts to inspect the site and confirmed the tracks are 100 percent genuine dinosaur footprints from a theropod (meat-eating dinosaur) approximately 120 million years old, dating to the Early Cretaceous period. The creature was larger than the dinosaurs previously discovered in Phu Wiang district, Khon Kaen province. Pichet expressed great joy and pride alongside fellow Udon Thani residents after expert verification confirmed the authentic dinosaur tracks. He never imagined casual photography would lead to such a significant discovery, which may become a new tourist attraction for Udon Thani in the future. Additionally, he will fly to Bangkok this evening after ministry officials informed him that Minister Suchat Chomklin wishes to meet him and present a commendation plaque tomorrow (October 22) at 11:00 AM, which he considers a great honor for his family.
