The Department of Mineral Resources yesterday said ammonite fossils found in the middle of a shopping district in Bangkok are about 100–166 million years old and likely came from Africa.
Earlier this week, a Facebook user uploaded images of fossils embedded along some walkways of Siam Square on her page and the post went viral.
A team of experts from the department, led by Adulwit Kaweera, a geologist with the Fossil Protection Division, yesterday went to the Siam Square shopping district to examine the fossils.
The team found a total of 77 pieces of fossil embedded along both sides of one 400-metre walkway. The fossils are 2–12cm in size and were mostly found in front of shops and above stairways.
Mr Aduwit said the fossils are confirmed to be real, at about 100–166 million years old.
"These ammonite fossils likely came from outside the country because ammonite fossils found in Thailand are generally about 300 million years old," he said. "They are not included on the fossil conservation list and can legally be owned and traded."
"This type can commonly be found throughout the world, particularly in Madagascar," he said.