Thailand unearths archaeological site dating back over 29,000 years

The skeletal remains of a child, affectionately nicknamed Pangpond after a popular Thai cartoon character, were unearthed during excavations at Din Cave, a site already known for its prehistoric rock art.

At the site (Photo: Bangkok Post)
At the site (Photo: Bangkok Post)

Bangkok (VNA) - A newly uncovered site in a cave at the Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, located in Kui Buri district, Prachuap Khiri Khan province, southern Thailand, indicates that human presence in the area may date back tens of thousands of years earlier than previously thought.

The skeletal remains of a child, affectionately nicknamed "Pangpond" after a popular Thai cartoon character, were unearthed during excavations at Din Cave, a site already known for its prehistoric rock art.

The Fine Arts Department (FAD) announced the findings, detailing the meticulous excavation that revealed the child's burial, estimated to be older than 29,000 years.

Din Cave, located 125m above sea level, has been a focus of archaeological interest since the discovery of prehistoric rock paintings in 1996.

Subsequent surveys revealed a network of chambers adorned with red-colored depictions of human figures, animals, and abstract designs, suggesting a rich cultural heritage.

The discovery of "Pangpond" not only adds a new chapter to Thailand's prehistory but also underscores the importance of continued archaeological exploration in Southeast Asia, a region vital to understanding the dispersal and adaptation of early humans./.

VNA

See more

Deputy Minister of Trade, Dyah Roro Esti (left), and Deputy Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, Kartika Wirjoatmodjo, during the signing ceremony of a pact on micro, small, and medium enterprise development. (Photo: Antara)

Ministries agree to strengthen Indonesia’s export-ready MSMEs

Deputy Minister of Trade Dyah Roro Esti said that the MoU is a strategic step by both ministries to bolster synergy to encourage national economic growth through MSMEs. In addition, it aims to improve the competitiveness of Indonesian products and expand their access to domestic and global markets.

Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Flores District, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), erupted with an ash column height observed at approximately 400 meters above the peak or approximately 1,984 meters above sea level on Monday (February 17, 2025). (Photo: ANTARA)

Indonesia’s airport closes due to volcanic eruption

The closure was also prompted by a report from a pilot flying from the town of Maumere to Kupang, the provincial capital. The pilot detected the smell of sulfur at an altitude between 1,500 – 3,300 metres.

Pig Farm (Photo: Laotiantimes)

Laos warns of African swine fever outbreak

ASF poses a serious threat to pig production and the livelihoods of Lao people. Local authorities are calling for coordinated efforts to contain and eliminate the outbreak, including heightened surveillance in several villages across Xaysomboun and Bolikhamxay provinces.

2-year-old girl dies from bird flu in Cambodia

2-year-old girl dies from bird flu in Cambodia

According to medical records, the child was in contact with infected chickens raised by her family and passed away on February 25 after developing symptoms like fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

Travellers in a boat tour on the Chao Praya River in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Safety concerns darken Thailand’s tourism

Thailand’s target of drawing up to 9 million Chinese tourists by 2025 is under threat, following a surge in flight cancellations, attributed to safety concerns raised by the kidnapping a Chinese actor in the country.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. (Photo: Bernama)

Malaysia vows to promote green investment collaboration during ASEAN chairmanship

In his speech at the 2025 ASEAN Banking and Finance Summit in Kuala Lumpur on February 25, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the bloc’s energy transition cannot occur in isolation and that no country can achieve its sustainability goals without strong regional cooperation.

People commemorate the victims of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in Subang Jaya, Malaysia, on March 3, 2024. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Malaysia resumes search for missing MH370 plane

Malaysian Minister of Transport Anthony Loke told the press on February 25 that the British marine robotics company Ocean Infinity has started what would likely be the final search for MH370 despite not having finalised a contract with the Malaysian government.

Veeramalla Anjaiah, a senior researcher fellow at the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS) (Photo: VNA)

AFF 2025 inspires unity, strengthens bloc: Indonesian researcher

As a country committed to regional cohesion and peace, Vietnam is urging ASEAN nations to turn commitments into concrete outcomes, enhance coordination in addressing both traditional and non-traditional challenges, and build on past achievements to drive ASEAN’s overall development, he told the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s resident correspondents in Jakarta.

Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

New Zealand PM optimistic about official visit to Vietnam

Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon expressed optimism about his official visit to Vietnam, while emphasising the Southeast Asian economy's importance to New Zealand exporters. He described Vietnam as a huge opportunity for New Zealand and the fastest-growing economy in Southeast Asia.