🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum (officially the Dinosaur Research Centre and Museum) is run by the Department of Mineral Resources and sits at the foot of the Phu Wiang range in Wiang Kao district, Khon Kaen. The story began in 1976, when a geologist found a bone fragment beside a stream on Phu Wiang that was later confirmed to belong to a long-necked plant-eating dinosaur — Thailand's first-ever dinosaur find. Dinosaur-loving kids tend to go wide-eyed the moment they walk in, because here they see the real thing rather than just pictures in a book. And parents can relax: this is a learning museum, with no animal shows or anything that raises welfare concerns.
Highlights for kids
The first thing that grabs you in the main hall is a towering dinosaur skeleton you can walk all the way around. From there you follow the zones that tell the story of Thailand's dinosaurs and how fossils form. These are the parts kids usually love most.
- Life-size skeleton replicas — the star is Phuwiangosaurus sirindhornae, a long-necked plant-eater named in honour of Princess Sirindhorn, so big that kids have to crane their necks to take it in.
- Real fossils — actual bones, teeth, and fragments excavated from Phu Wiang, displayed up close so children can see what remains more than a hundred million years old really look like.
- Several local species — including Siamotyrannus, a resident predator, and Siamosaurus, a crocodile-headed dinosaur that ate fish. Kids love guessing which ones were meat-eaters and which were plant-eaters.
- A geology storytelling zone — simple exhibits that explain how fossils form and what the world looked like 130 million years ago.
- Outdoor grounds and garden — dinosaur statues where kids can run around and pose for photos before or after touring the indoor halls.
Tips for bringing kids
Arrive soon after opening (mid-morning): it's quieter to walk around and the sun isn't yet fierce when you head out to the garden. Bring water, hats, and an umbrella just in case, and use the air-conditioned halls to cool off. The floors are smooth, so a stroller is fine for little ones — and leave plenty of time for questions and lingering, since plenty of kids don't want to leave in a hurry.
Before you go
- Opening hours — open Tuesday to Sunday, roughly 09:30–16:30, closed Mondays (hours can shift on long holidays, so it's worth checking before you set off).
- Approximate entry fees — Thai adults around ฿20, children around ฿10; foreign adults around ฿60, children around ฿30 (at times entry has been free; prices are approximate, so confirm on site).
- Getting there — it's in Wiang Kao district, about 85–90 km from Khon Kaen city, roughly a 1.5-hour drive. Driving yourself or renting a car is easiest; just drop a Google Maps pin on "Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum."
- Which ages it suits — good for all ages, but kids from around 3 who already know dinosaurs enjoy it most, while primary-school children get both a fun outing and a proper dose of learning.
Safety and value
At just a few tens of baht, entry is excellent value for what you see, and 1–2 hours is about right for a full look around. As you go, keep an eye on the kids so they don't climb on or touch the skeletons and some of the fossils, which are real and fragile, and have them hold the handrails on the stairs. Since Phu Wiang is a long way from the city, fill up on fuel and pack a few snacks for the kids for the journey.
Plan a family trip to Khon Kaen
See the Khon Kaen travel guide →