Now open to visitors: "Korat Mini Museum X Penlaos Khaoyai"

Before the world arrived at this present day, going back over 150 million years, the very ground where we stand used to be the home of dinosaur species and numerous prehistoric creatures. This is proven by the fossil remains that have been excavated.

Several important learning sites in Thailand are found in the Northeastern region. A key location is "Korat: The Metropolis of Paleontology or City of Fossils." This site is so significant that Japanese researchers invested in excavation and knowledge-gathering efforts starting 20 years ago, and these activities continue to this day.

Because fossils are the only key that allows us to unlock the door to the past, Korat is truly a city filled with invaluable heritage!

However, pushing this valuable tourist destination for the world to see is impossible if done by just a single person.

Today, we therefore see collaboration from various sectors in Nakhon Ratchasima province, starting from square one to drive this mission forward together.

Who would have thought that a spicy Isan restaurant, Penlaos Khaoyai, would transform a small space into an area packed with both substance and fun? It essentially shrinks the Petrified Wood Museum (located near Korat city) and brings it to Penlaos to welcome tourists coming for a meal, as well as anyone interested in stopping by for a visit.

In the Mini Museum, what will you see?

-Simulated fossil excavation activities

-Photo ops with dinosaurs against the backdrop of the Khaoyai forest

-An art exhibition by Toey-Komkrit Phumisat, an LGBTQ+ Pop Art artist whose work was selected to adorn the Petrified Wood Museum

-A shopping corner featuring paleontology-themed products from communities within the Korat Geopark area

On the opening day, special guests included little students from the Khaoyai area who joined the event with great joy.

Additionally, there was an auction of artwork filled with dinosaur narratives fused with the identity of the artist, Toey-Komkrit Phumisat (who hails from Kalasin, another land of dinosaurs). This auction raised a total of 45,000 Baht, adding quite a bit of color and fun to the opening event.

Chaiya Huayhongthong, Chief of Khao Yai National Park, stated that Khao Yai National Park is considered one of the World Heritage sites that we have intended to conserve continuously since the era of Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram. This makes Khao Yai, despite being the third-largest park, the one with the least—or virtually no—encroachment. It is a destination tourists want to visit. Our tourist numbers increase every year: in 2023, we had 1.4 million total tourists (50,000 foreigners); in 2024, 1.8 million total (100,000 foreigners); and in 2025, 2.1 million total (120,000 foreigners). This proves that Khao Yai is a complete forest that tourists love. Moving forward, we are working on electric safari vehicles to reduce pollution, ensuring Khao Yai remains a valuable World Heritage site for the future.

On the other hand, Jirasak Uam-urai, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Nakhon Ratchasima Office, remarked that having three World Heritage sites in a single province is extremely rare. As someone with the mission to attract visitors, we will move forward to publicize to the world what makes Khao Yai and Korat so good. Importantly, it is heartening that the local youth have good knowledge of what their home possesses, are interested in history, and have a conservationist heart. This gives hope that the next generation will help push for development in a positive direction. The TAT is very pleased to participate in this event.

Meanwhile, Tete-Panchana Vatanasathien, President of the Khao Yai Tourism Association and founder of Penlaos Restaurant, views that the very ground we are sitting on is filled with valuable things from millions of years ago, similar to the city of Xi'an with the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum. Therefore, as an entrepreneur, she sees the need for knowledge to apply to the products we have. Right now, we must integrate all parties and bring out our good assets to use effectively. From interacting with tourists, the whole world places importance on tourism sites that are learning sources and build consciousness. Khao Yai already has this; we just need to use it properly. And today, the local youth are the important future.

Furthermore, on the opening day of the Mini Museum, there was a small academic seminar stage featuring Asst. Prof. Dr. Pratueng Jintasakul, Director of the Korat Aspiring Geopark; Asst. Prof. Dr. Nattinee Thongdee, Director of the Petrified Wood Research Institute; and Asst. Prof. Dr. Nattakit Insawan, Vice President for Student Development, Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University. They joined to give entertaining lectures to the little students.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Pratueng shared that dinosaurs are a very important subject. Many tourist destinations can generate revenue for their cities from dinosaurs. For example, Katsuyama City in Japan has a population of only 20,000 but attracts up to 1 million tourists from across the country. Khao Yai also has dinosaurs, and we can similarly develop local community tourism routes without having to wait for government plans.

“We classify dinosaurs from footprints. Children, did you know that carnivorous dinosaurs used to walk here in Khao Yai? We found two types of carnivorous dinosaurs at Khao Yai: a large carnivorous dinosaur and a small one. This is proven by the footprints found on rocks in the middle of the Sai Yai River.”

Asst. Prof. Dr. Nattinee stated that the Petrified Wood Museum is located not far from Korat city and houses many important items from the past. It allows us to learn about the past, understand the present, and imagine the future. It is a significant site where Japanese researchers have invested in excavations since 20 years ago because it is a key location for researchers to accumulate knowledge on how dinosaurs on different landmasses were similar or different.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Nattakit mentioned that Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University has played a role in promoting the Korat Geopark continuously and has received recognition. We are developing our curriculum towards international standards, including the subject of paleontology. Importantly, teaching and learning are not limited to within the university. We also work with various sectors in many circles to push the Korat Geopark to greatness on a global level. We are well aware that this work cannot be done alone; we need friends from diverse professions to help push it to success.

For those interested in visiting the Mini Museum, it is open every Saturday, Sunday, and public holiday during December 2025 - January 2026 at Penlaos Khaoyai and Flory Day Khaoyai.

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