By Jakkapong Rawiwan

The 150-million-year-old fossils of a new species of a herbivorous dinosaur were unearthed in Phu Noi in Thailand's Kham Muang district.

Joining dinosaur experts, Dr Eric Buffetaut and Dr Haiyan Tong, yesterday morning to officially open the archaeological site, Mineral Resources Department's senior geologist Dr Warawut Suteethorn said the fossils, possibly dating back to the late Jurassic period, were older than those found at Phu Khum Khao in Kalasin's Sahatsakhan district.

Though excavations since early 2008 in Phu Noi yielded fossils of different dinosaur species before, this is the first time that fossils in such good condition have been discovered, Warawut said.

The newest discovery was made about five metres away from the original digging site.

Archaeologists initially found a 150centimetre long and 50cmwide hipbone, which according to February 13 lab test results, are believed to belong to a new species of sauropod.

These fossils are older than the remains found earlier in Phu Khum Khao, the rock layers of which date back to 130 million years, while the rocks in Phu Noi are 150 million years old, he said.

So far more than 15 bones have been unearthed in Phu Noi, including a 120cmlong front leg, a 80cmlong shank bone, five ribs, four toes and two spinal bones, Warawut said.

All information, including the size of the dinosaur, has convinced researchers that they might have discovered a new species of sauropod.

The archaeologists plan to continue excavating before they put the fossils through further tests to confirm if it is indeed a new species, Warawut said.

Kham Muang's district chief Lertbut Khongthong said now that the excavation has been officially launched, authorities would encourage locals to protect the fossils.

The district is also planning to seek government support to promote this site as a new dinosaur research centre and a tourist attraction, he said.