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| Thai | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Blue point Thai | |
| Other names | Standardised breed:
|
| Common nicknames | Applehead, Traditional Siamese, Classic Siamese |
| Origin | Thailand (originally); Europe and North America (redevelopment) |
| Foundation bloodstock | Western Siamese, backcrossed with indigenous wichienmaat |
| Breed standards | |
| FIFe | standard |
| TICA | standard |
| WCF | standard |
| FFE | standard |
| Domestic cat (Felis catus) | |
The Thai or Wichien Maat (Thai: วิเชียรมาศ, [wí.tɕʰīan.mâːt] , RTGS: wichianmat, 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.
- ^ "Thai Breed". The International Cat Association.