Thai cats, also known as old-style Siamese cats or traditional Siamese cats, are bred with the intention of maintaining the characteristics of Thailand’s indigenous pointed cats, also known as the wichienmaat, or “moon diamond” cats of ancient Siam.
A pair of Thai cats—also known as royal cats from Siam—were presented to England’s royal family in 1886. Over time, more Siamese were imported and the breed gained popularity not just in England, but across the pond, in America.
The distinction between the old-style Siamese and the modern Siamese began during the 1950s, when some breeders were selecting for old-fashioned characteristics and others were aiming for the longer, thinner, more angular features seen in contemporary show Siamese.
Preservation of the old-style Siamese cat began in earnest during the 1980s, as breed clubs were formed in Europe and the United States. In 2001, some breeders increased their efforts, importing indigenous pointed cats directly from Thailand.
The imported cats help achieve two goals. First, they widen and improve the Thai breed pool. Second, they help preserve Southeast Asia’s native cat breed, separating indigenous eastern cats from their western counterparts.
In 1990, the World Cat Foundation (WFC) granted the Thai cat full championship competitive status as a separate breed. The independent cat club Prestwick-Beresford Old-Style Siamese Association (PREOSSIA) is credited with coining the name old-style Siamese in 1999. The Old-Style Siamese Club (OSSC) adopted the same name in 2000.
PREOSSIA set the new breed application process in motion with The International Cat Association (TICA). In 2007, TICA decided against granting old-style Siamese separate breed status, and breeders decided to use the name “Thai” rather than old-style Siamese. In 2010, the Thai cat was granted championship status by TICA.
Federation Internationale Feline (FIFe), and Feline Federation Europe recognize Thai cats, as well.
Today, you can easily tell the difference between a Thai cat or old-style Siamese and a modern Western Siamese (sometimes called wedgehead Siamese). Thai cats are larger, rounder, and generally more robust in appearance than their contemporary cousins.