Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum

Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum is a paleontological and geological museum in Wiang Kao District, Khon Kaen Province, northeastern Thailand, located near Phu Wiang National Park. Established by the Department of Mineral Resources and opened in 2001, it showcases the region's significant dinosaur fossil discoveries since 1976. The museum is notable for its extensive collection of fossil skeletons, including Phuwiangosaurus sirindhornae, and its role as Thailand's first dinosaur museum and a major research and education center.

Visitors can expect a modern two-storey museum set in parkland near Phu Wiang National Park. Inside are extensive exhibition halls with full-scale dinosaur skeletons, fossil specimens, geological displays, dioramas of prehistoric environments, excavation site reconstructions, and interactive multimedia presentations. The museum explains the discovery and research of dinosaurs in Phu Wiang, with models of Phuwiangosaurus sirindhornae and other species, a fossil preparation lab view, souvenir shop and outdoor dinosaur sculptures.

Phu Wiang is Thailand's most important dinosaur fossil site. The first dinosaur bone was discovered in 1976 by geologist Sudham Yaemniyom of the Department of Mineral Resources. Subsequent excavations revealed numerous Early Cretaceous fossils, leading to the identification of Phuwiangosaurus sirindhornae in 1994, named in honour of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, along with Siamotyrannus isanensis and other species. The museum was established by the Department of Mineral Resources and opened in 2001 as Thailand's first dedicated dinosaur museum to preserve, research and display these finds.

The museum serves as a major educational and scientific centre for paleontology in Thailand, promoting public understanding of natural history and geology. It is closely associated with Phu Wiang National Park and is a key attraction for domestic educational tourism and research, highlighting the region's contribution to Southeast Asian dinosaur studies.