Thai cat

Thai
Blue point Thai
Other namesStandardised breed:
  • Old-Style Siamese
  • Wichien Maat
Common nicknamesApplehead, Traditional Siamese, Classic Siamese
OriginThailand (originally);
Europe and North America (redevelopment)
Foundation bloodstockWestern Siamese, backcrossed with indigenous wichienmaat
Breed standards
FIFestandard
TICAstandard
WCFstandard
FFEstandard
Domestic cat (Felis catus)

The Thai or Wichien Maat (Thai: วิเชียรมาศ, [wí.tɕʰīan.mâːt] , RTGSwichianmat, meaning "diamond gold") is a newly renamed but old cat breed, related to but different from the Western, modern-style Siamese cat. This natural breed is descended from the cats of Thailand, and, among various groups of breeders in different times and places, has also been called the Old-Style Siamese, Traditional Siamese, Classic Siamese; Wichien Maat (anglicised from the Thai name); and the Applehead, a nickname that originated in the 1950s (originally as a pejorative used by breeders of the modern-style, more extreme-featured Siamese). According to The International Cat Association: "The Thai is the breed dedicated to preserving the native pointed cat of Thailand in as close to its original form as possible."[1]

Compared to the modern-style, more extreme-featured Siamese, the traditional Thai breed (and native wichienmaat specimens) have a much more moderate appearance.

  1. ^ "Thai Breed". The International Cat Association.