New iguanodonts from Thailand

[bh480@scn.org]

From: Ben Creisler bh480@scn.org

Here's a story from the Bangkok Post dated Sept. 22, 2001:

The Rajabhat Institute has announced the discovery of more 
than 40 fossilised dinosaur bones in the province. 

The fossils were collected from excavation sites in Ban 
Nong Rangka, and Ban Pong Malaengwan in tambon Khokkruad 
of Muang district by the institute's exploration team. 
More than 40 fossilised remains were on display as 
officials gave word of the discoveries. 

The fossils, thought to be around 110 million years old, 
were examined and verified to belong to the Iguanodon 
family. 

''The fossils belong to Iguanodon family but they are 
likely to be different from the ones found previously. The 
jaws and teeth are different from those of Iguanodon 
dinosaurs found in other countries,'' said vice-rector 
Prathuang Jintasakul. 

He said that the fossiled bones including teeth, upper 
right jaws, and legs belonged to two dinosaurs _possibly a 
mother and its baby. 

The fossilised remains were examined by expert Varavudh 
Suteethorn and a French palaeontologist, said Dr 
Prathuang. 

Another two sets of fossils belonging to dinosaur types 
found previously were uncovered in the same area. 

Examinations showed that one set belonged to a flesh-
eating dinosaur, Siamotyrannus, which was previously found 
in Khon Kaen's Phu Wiang district. "But what we've found 
here could be about 20 million years younger than those in 
Khon Kaen,'' he said. 

Another set belonged to a flesh-eating dinosaur 
Siamosaurus, previously found in the northeastern region, 
he said. The remains would go on display at a new museum 
in Ban Krok Duen Ha in tambon Suranaree, Muang district, 
next year.