Palaeontology Journey for Community in Phochai Fossil Site, Roi-Et
The Paleontology Research and Education Center, in collaboration with the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Maha Sarakham University, organized the Mobile Paleontology Project to transfer knowledge to the community in the Pho Chai fossil site area, Roi Et Province.
On November 14, 2020, the Paleontology Research and Education Center, Mahasarakham University, in collaboration with the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Program in Paleontology and the Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Program in Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, organized the Mobile Paleontology Project to Disseminate Knowledge to the Community in the Pho Chai Fossil Site Area, Roi Et Province, to disseminate basic paleontology and geology knowledge to the community so that people in the communities near the excavation site will have basic knowledge of their resources, which can be shared with others and developed into tour guides in the future. The Pho Chai Stone Shell Site area was attended by three lecturers who provided knowledge on fossils: Mr. Sitta Manitkul, a researcher from the Paleontology Research and Education Center, gave a lecture on basic paleontology; Asst. Prof. Dr. Sakboworn Tumpisuwan, an expert from the Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University. Lecture on the occurrence of freshwater bivalve fossils and Mr. Preecha Saithong, an expert from the Department of Mineral Resources, lectured on the Fossil Protection Act and the development of fossil sites, along with project participants, including personnel from the Paleontology Research and Education Center, students and lecturers from the Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, and heads of relevant government agencies, local and community leaders, as well as local people, in order to further develop the site.
In 14 th November 2020, Palaeontological Research and Education Center (PRC) in cooperation with Palaeontology Program (Ph.D.) and Biology Program (BSc.), Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University organized academic service to community project “the Palaeontology Journey for Community” This project was conducted at Phochai fossil site in Roi-Et province. The main aim is to provide a basic knowledge on fossil information to local people. The site includes bivalve fossils and others of 130 million years old.
The event includes 3 sections presented by Mr.Sita Manitkul (PRC) on “Basic Palaeontology”. Asst.Prof.Dr.Sakbohorn Tumpeesuwan (Dept.Biology,Fact. of science, MSU) on “Fossil Fresh-Water Bivalve.” Mr.Preecha Saithong from Department of Mineral Resources on “Fossil Protection Law of Thailand” and “How to develop the Fossil Site.”
This activity has up to 100 participants including local administration staffs, villagers, staffs and students from Mahasarakham University.