Khorat Fossil Museum (Petrified Wood, Ancient Elephant and Dinosaur Museum)

History & Significance

The museum originated from initiative discussions regarding petrified wood conservation in Nakhon Ratchasima in 1994. Managed under Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University, the institute was established to preserve geological resources and educate the public. On May 17, 2023, UNESCO officially recognized the area as part of the Korat UNESCO Global Geopark during its executive board meeting in Paris.

Highlights & What to See

The facility is divided into major exhibit zones:

• Petrified Wood Museum: Displays large ancient plant fossils aged between 800,000 and hundreds of millions of years, featuring a 5D animation theater showing the origin of the Earth and life evolution, as well as an outdoor petrified wood garden simulating the Mun-Chi river basin.
• Ancient Elephant Museum: Highlights fossils of ancient elephants from various genera, including four-tusked elephants (Gomphotherium), shovel-tusked elephants (Prodeinotherium), and curved-tusked species, as well as a mammoth skeleton from China and petrified ivory. Fossils of contemporary prehistoric animals such as giant turtles, false gharials, and ancient apes are also featured.
• Dinosaur Museum: Provides educational exhibits on different dinosaur eras and prehistoric life.

Visitor Information

The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 09:00 to 16:00 (closed Mondays). Facilities include parking lots and restrooms. Admission fees are 50 THB for Thai adults and 20 THB for children, while foreign admission is 120 THB for adults and 50 THB for children.

How to Get There

The museum is located at 184 Moo 7, Mittraphap - Nong Pling Road, Ban Krok Duean Ha, Suranari Subdistrict, Mueang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province.