Thailand reveals more on discovery of ancient alligator species
The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry of Thailand on October 18 confirmed that fossilised remains found in 2005 belong to an alligator species never before recorded in world history.
The new species of reptile has been called Alligator munensis, or the "Mun River Alligator". (Photo: Asia News Network)
Bangkok (VNA)🤡 - TheNatural Resources and Environment Ministry of Thailand on October 18 confirmed thatfossilised remains found in 2005 belong to an alligator species never beforerecorded in world history.
The new species of reptilehas been called Alligator munensis, or the "Mun River Alligator". The alligator's fossils were discovered in Non Sung district,Nakhon Ratchasima, about 300 kilometres northeast of Bangkok. The fossilised skull, jawsand other parts of the ancient creature were examined by a research team fromthe University of Tübingen in Germany, along with the Department of MineralResources and Chulalongkorn University. This species is believed to have existed no later than theMiddle Pleistocene period, approximately 230,000 years ago. Alligators bear a resemblance to crocodiles but can bedistinguished by their U-shaped snout, as opposed to the slender, V-shapedsnouts of crocodiles. An intriguing characteristicthat sets Mun River Alligators apart from other alligators is their wider andshorter snout, along with a higher skull. Their nostrils are also positionedfurther away from the snout’s tip. Additionally, toothsockets that are larger and fewer in number suggest that these alligators hadlarger teeth suited for crushing crustaceans, including freshwater molluscs. Judging from the skullsize, researchers estimated the Mun River Alligator grew to 1-2 metres inlength. There are two livingalligator species – the American (Alligator mississippiensis) and the Chinese(Alligator sinensis). The cranial features ofthe Mun River Alligator bear a striking resemblance to the Chinese alligator. Thissuggests a common ancestor shared between the Yangtze and Mekong-Chaophrayabasins. Geomorphic changes caused by the uplift of the Tibetan plateau likelyled to the separation of this ancestral species into two populations, withclimate change eventually driving the Mun River alligator to extinction./.
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on October 16 announced that Thailand will extend the visa-free stay for Russian tourists from 30 to 90 days from November 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024.
Thai authorities have warned that widespread heavy rain will continue to occur in the coming days after five people were killed in floods in the northern region of the country earlier this week.
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced Thailand's sustainable development roadmap and showed the country's interest in promoting cooperation with China within the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) during the third Belt and Road Forum (BRF) in Beijing on October 18.
The article stressed that throughout his revolutionary career, the founder of modern Vietnam consistently regarded the revolutionary press as a vital part of the Vietnamese Party’s and nation’s revolutionary struggle.
Pichai said the trade talks with the US are important and need to move forward professionally, without regard for any political changes in Thailand, believing that Thailand has clear principles, guidelines and procedures in place.
The tax adjustment supports the Malaysian Government’s strategy to reduce reliance on foreign food supply chains and to assist domestic farmers, a finance official has said.
The proposed venue is located in the Chatuchak area of Bangkok, featuring eight public sites, including Krungthep Aphiwat Central Terminal and several nearby parks.
Connectivity is expected to improve further with the completion of the fifth Laos–Thailand Friendship Bridge by the end of 2025, facilitating logistics and agricultural exports to Vietnam, Thailand, and China.
Two naval gunboats intercepted a fishing vessel carrying 1.5 tonnes of methamphetamine hydrochloride off the coast of the main island of Luzon just before dawn, in a joint operation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
In the today context of socio-economic development and growth, the professionalism of Vietnam’s revolutionary journalists continues to rise, guided by exemplary mastery of new information technologies and the modernisation of their founding principles to preserve the enduring values of revolutionary journalism.
Thai Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Vuttikrai Leewiraphan Thailand's formal proposal will be substantial enough for the US to consider further detailed negotiations. He hoped for a tariff rate not exceeding 10% and suggested that the US might extend the negotiation period if an agreement is not reached by the July 8 deadline.
Organised by the Ministry of Culture and the Association of Thai Silk & Culture Promotions, the event honors Her Majesty the Queen on her 47th birthday anniversary and promotes Thai craftsmanship on an international stage.
Prensa Latina's recent article on Vietnam’s assurance of smooth and effective transition to a leaner structure highlighted Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s latest directions on implementing 28 resolutions regarding the decentralisation and delegation of authority.
The lab focuses on four key thematic areas: energy transition and green innovation, sustainable agriculture, circular economy and sustainable cities, and nature-based solutions and biodiversity.
The key content of the document titled "Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Addressing the OOSCY Challenges" will be refined further in a seminar preceding the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October.
This follows Telegram’s serious failure to address the content that has been repeatedly reported to them, despite various efforts of negotiation and cooperation made by MCMC, it said.
Efforts to empower women must transcend dialogue and translate into concrete commitments, including corporate pledges and government partnerships, according to the spouse of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The forum featured two in-depth discussion sessions, engaging representatives from governments, think tanks, and businesses from both ASEAN and China, on how to forge closer ties for a common future.
The new FIFA Hub in Jakarta will not only support football development in Indonesia but also serve as a coordination centre for 21 football associations across Southeast and East Asia.
Minister Counselor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen reaffirmed Vietnam’s principled and consistent stance on the Palestine issue, calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire across the entire Gaza Strip.
PM Anwar Ibrahim affirmed the determination of Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, to utilise all viable regional mechanisms of the bloc and work with partners to de-escalate violence and restore a peace process led by Myanmar.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025), Nikulina, who is also a veteran journalist of Russia’s Sputnik News, emphasised the vital role of mainstream journalism in defending the truth and maintaining public trust.
The new species of reptile has been called Alligator munensis, or the "Mun River Alligator". (Photo: Asia News Network) 
