Breed characteristics
Profile
Section 4 – FOREIGN – Group 1
The GCCF Thai cats are the Thai Lilac and the Thai Blue Point – very similar to their self-coloured cousin, the Korat. Thais are simply Korats wearing a different coat.
The name Korat is only ever given to the blue cat because the word Korat in Thai (Si-sawat) means blue cat, and indeed, the Korat is defined as the blue cat of Thailand. That means any other coloured cat, regardless of parentage, cannot qualify for this definition. Therefore, names were coined that described both the colour and origin but also respected tradition.
There is a distinct difference between the Thais recognised by GCCF and those recognised by other registries, as is shown by the variance in GEMS coding – GCCF TAI, other organisations THA. It is based on pedigree lineage. All TAIs are descended from Korats (KOR) with no other breeds in their pedigrees, as their existence depends on the recessive genes carried by Korat arrivals from their Thai inheritance. However, THA are descended from Siamese (and are sometimes described as ‘apple headed’ or ‘old-fashioned Siamese’). The aim has been to keep the appearance of the SIA that originally arrived in the west rather than breed to the SIA Standard of Points that has changed the appearance of that breed over time. That said, these breeds are related and all have their origins in SE Asia. However, just as KOR and SIA are not the same, and THA and SIA are now distinct, so too are THA and TAI. Each breed has its own Standard of Points and breeding policies.
History
The modern Siamese cat that you see at a show today looks rather different to its original ancestors from Thailand, brought back to the UK in the 1880s. The Thai has a common ancestry with the modern Siamese breed, but after WW2, breed development of the Siamese has favoured a more svelte, slender version with a longer head. The Thai or Wichien Maat is the native pointed cat of Thailand in its original form, and is still found there, where it remains popular. Some breeders in the UK, Europe and the US wished to preserve the look of the original Siamese, and they have variously been called Old-Style Siamese and Appleheads, but in GCCF they are known as Thai. From the start of Korat breeding in the late 1950s in the west, kittens with the Himalayan (Siamese) pattern of pale body with colour restricted to the face, ears, legs, paws and tail have appeared in litters. In the late 1980s and 1990s in the UK, matings between Korats produced the odd ‘white’ or ‘pink’ kitten. This was the result of recessive genes carried by the Korats and resulted in blue and lilac pointed kittens and solid lilac kittens. Some UK Korat breeders were happy to develop these different coloured and patterned cats as new breeds, and Preliminary Recognition was granted by GCCF for the Thai Lilac and Thai Blue Point in February 2002, and they now have championship status. Other breeders prefer to breed Korats ensuring that neither the recessive Siamese or chocolate gene is present, and this is easily done by use of DNA testing for colour/pattern. So the Thai can best be described as a Korat in a different coloured coat.
Appearance and Colours
The Thai Group is the name used for cats of Korat type, but non Korat colour or pattern. The Thais should not vary from the Korat with regard to head and body type. They are of medium build, firm, lithe and muscular, never large or coarse. The body should be medium length, with a medium tapering tail. Females are daintier in appearance, but should not be undersized. The distinctive features of the Korat, the large, round eyes and silver tipping in the coat to give a sheen, should be present. When viewed from the front the head is heart-shaped, with breadth between the eyes, gently curving to a well developed, neither strongly pointed nor square muzzle; the forehead should be large and flat. The nose is short with a slight downward curve. In profile there is a slight stop between the forehead and nose. The chin and jaw should be strong. The ears are large with rounded tips and flared at the base, set high on the head, giving an alert expression. The eyes should be wide open and oversized for the facial eye aperture, and appear well-rounded when fully open, with an Asian slant when closed or partially closed. The body is medium sized, strong, muscular and semi-cobby with medium bone structure. The males should be powerful, and females should be smaller and dainty. The back is carried in a gentle curve. The legs should be well-proportioned to the body and the paws oval. The tail is medium in length, heavier at the base and tapering to a rounded tip. The coat is single, with the hair short to medium in length, glossy and fine, and lying close to the body.
Thai Blue Point & Lilac Point – The body colour is off white, cream or light fawn with some shading on the back and sides to tone with the points. The points colour can be any shade of blue or lilac. Silver tipping should be present on both the body and the points giving the coat a sheen. In kittens the mask may be incomplete. The eye colour is a clear blue in adults, but may take time to develop in kittens.
Thai Lilac – The body colour is lilac of a warm pinky beige tone, tipped with silver, the more silver tipping the better. The eye colour should be a clear green in adults. Kittens and adolescents up to two years may have yellow or amber to amber-green eyes.
Personality
The Thai is a sociable and friendly breed that loves to be with its human family. They are intelligent and, like their Korat cousins, they can be very vocal. They positively want to be involved with whatever you are doing, whether it’s gardening, reading a newspaper or just relaxing watching TV or listening to music, your Thai companion will seek out your company and be close by and probably talking to you. They are also inquisitive and like to explore, so a climbing frame that enables them to get onto different levels will be appreciated. They make a good companion for children, and fit in well with a busy family routine. This breed is very loving and loyal, and forms a strong bonds with its human family, however, they can be territorial so may not be happy to share their home with another cat. They do not like to be left at home alone for long periods which can make them stressed and anxious.
Care
The Thai cat breed is a low maintenance cat. Using a grooming glove or a rubber brush once or twice a week will remove all dead hair without harming the coat. The average weight of the cat is 8 to 10 lbs. Male cats are larger and heavier than the females. A healthy, well-cared for cat can be expected to live for 15+ years – they have a long life expectancy.
Health
Like the Korats they are descended from, Thais are generally a long lived breed. Many reach their late teens and a few go past 20. Korats were the first breed to be DNA screened for two forms of a genetic disease (GM1 and GM2) that kills cats before their first birthday. All UK Korat & Thai lines were tested in 1998 and found to be clear. From that time all GCCF registered Korats & Thais will have been tested, or have parents known to be clear, before they are registered. It is the disease we did not have and hopefully never will have thanks to genetic testing.
UPDATE – SEPTEMBER 2025
Korats have been found to carry a recessive gene causing Atherosclerosis. This is a progressive inflammatory vascular disease caused by accumulation of Low-Density Lipoprotein LDL-derived cholesterol on arterial walls, leading to congestive heart failure. In 2025 a genetic test became available and all possible breeding lines are being tested. Breeders are working together to ensure all GCCF registered Korats and Thais have been DNA tested before being used for future breeding to ensure no kittens will be born with the risk of getting Atherosclerosis. It is hoped to be able to eradicate this disease in the UK Korats and Thais within a few years just as the GM Testing removed risk of gangliosidosis.
