Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Background
The Thai cat is a direct descendant of the ancient Siamese cats mentioned in 14th-century manuscripts known as the “Book of Cat Poems.” These cats lived in the temples and royal palaces of Siam, present-day Thailand, where they were revered as sacred animals. The breed was introduced to Europe in the 19th century and caused a sensation at exhibitions. Over time, two distinct types of Siamese cats developed: the modern, more refined type, and the traditional one that retained rounded forms and harmonious proportions. The latter became known as the Thai cat. Today, the breed is recognized by many international organizations and is valued for its historical significance, beauty, and friendly temperament.
General Appearance
The Thai cat is a harmoniously built, medium-sized animal combining elegance and strength. The body is muscular with smooth, rounded lines and gentle transitions, without sharp angles. The head forms a modified wedge with soft, rounded contours; cheeks are well developed, and the muzzle is of medium length. Ears are of medium size, slightly rounded at the tips. Eyes are large, almond-shaped, and of vivid blue color. The tail is of medium length, tapering smoothly to the tip. The short, glossy coat fits closely to the body and displays the characteristic pointed coloration. The overall impression is one of harmony, grace, and strength combined.
Important Proportions
The Thai cat must be well proportioned: the body length corresponds to the height at the withers, forming an almost square outline. In profile, the head shows a smooth transition from forehead to nose; the nose length corresponds to that of the skull. The eyes are spaced apart at a distance equal to the width of one eye, ensuring a balanced expression. The ears are set in harmony with the head’s overall shape—neither too high nor too wide. The tail is approximately two-thirds the length of the body, completing the proportional silhouette. Limbs are of medium length and match the body; paws are oval. All lines should merge harmoniously, creating a balanced, unified appearance without extremes.
Behavior and Temperament
The Thai cat is known for its strong individuality and deep attachment to its owner. It is sociable, affectionate, and enjoys human contact, often following its person around the home. Intelligent, curious, and playful, it remains calm and friendly. Thai cats love attention and express emotions through facial expressions and vocalizations. They get along well with children and other pets, showing adaptability and gentleness. Thanks to their natural intelligence, they easily learn simple commands. Their temperament can be described as affectionate, lively, and open, yet never intrusive—maintaining a perfect balance between activity and composure.
Head
The head forms a softly rounded, modified wedge that blends harmoniously with the body. The skull is of medium width with gently curved contours; the forehead is slightly convex, without flatness. Cheekbones are well developed, giving the face expressive lines, especially noticeable in mature males. The cheeks are rounded, merging smoothly into the muzzle. The chin is firm, even, and vertically aligned when viewed in profile. The muzzle is of moderate length—neither long nor short—and proportionate in width and length, maintaining overall harmony. The outlines are soft, free from angularity, preserving the traditional breed type.
Facial Part
The facial structure is balanced and symmetrical. The muzzle is visible but not overly elongated, its shape rounded with smooth transitions into the cheeks. The nose is straight, of medium length, with a gentle break at the bridge aligned with the eyes, without dip or bump. The transition from forehead to nose is smooth. The chin is firm and proportionate, providing a clear profile line. Prominent cheekbones give the cat a friendly, open expression. The face as a whole must maintain harmony among eyes, ears, and muzzle, producing a unified and expressive appearance.
Eyes
Eyes are large, almond-shaped, and slightly slanted, lending the cat an oriental charm. They are moderately spaced—the distance between them equals one eye’s width. The eyes are set at a slight angle toward the nose, giving a lively, alert look. The required color is a deep, pure, intense blue. The brighter and more even the color, the more valuable the specimen. The expression should be intelligent, affectionate, and curious. Eyes that are too round, narrow, or pale in color are undesirable.
Ears
Ears are medium in size, proportionate to the head, with a broad base and slightly rounded tips. They are set fairly high but not vertically; the angle is moderate. The distance between the ears equals their width, maintaining balance. In profile, the ears complement the rounded head shape. The inner surface has short, fine hair; the outer side is covered with close coat. Ears that are too large, too pointed, too small, or set too low spoil the breed’s balanced look. Their shape and placement must emphasize harmony and lend the cat its characteristic gentle expression.
Neck
The neck is of medium length, strong, and muscular, smoothly connecting the head and body. It is firm yet elegant, never coarse or heavy. In males, it appears more powerful; in females, finer and graceful, but always proportionate. The neck should ensure a noble head carriage and an impression of elegance. A neck that is too short or too long disrupts the overall balance.
Body
The body is medium in size, compact, with a solid bone structure and well-developed muscles. The format is nearly square: the body length approximately equals the height. The chest is broad and deep, the back straight and strong, with a level topline. The abdomen is tucked up, accentuating the cat’s fitness. Shoulders are powerful, harmonizing with rounded hips. The Thai cat gives an impression of strength and balance without coarseness or heaviness.
Tail
The tail is of medium length, strong and flexible. It is broader at the base and tapers gradually to a rounded tip. Its length equals roughly two-thirds of the body length, maintaining overall harmony. A slight natural curve may occur historically within the breed, but severe kinks or deformities are disqualifying. The tail is expressive, continuing the body line in rest and accentuating graceful motion in action.
Forelimbs
Forelegs are of medium length, straight, with solid but not heavy bone. Shoulders fit closely to the body; bones are neither coarse nor fragile. Paws are oval, compact, with tight toes and elastic pads. Legs are parallel and firm, providing stability and smooth movement. Weakness, inward or outward turning of the legs are faults.
Hindlimbs
Hind legs are slightly longer than the forelegs, giving the body a gentle rise from shoulders to hips. Thighs are rounded and muscular, knees well defined, hocks strong and properly aligned. Paws match the forelegs—oval and compact. Hind legs must be straight and powerful, ensuring agility and elegant motion. Weak joints or distortions are considered faults.
Gait and Movement
The Thai cat moves with light, smooth, confident steps full of grace. Movements are free and elastic, demonstrating coordination and strength. The tail continues the topline, emphasizing balance. The gait must appear effortless, elegant, and lively. Awkward, stiff, or unbalanced movements are undesirable.
Coat
The coat is short, close-lying, sleek, silky, and shiny. The undercoat is minimal or moderate, ensuring smooth texture and neat appearance. The hair is fine but dense, evenly covering the body and accentuating the contours. The body color is light, while the points—mask, ears, legs, and tail—are darker and well defined. The coat must be healthy, glossy, and free from coarseness or excessive fluffiness.
Permitted Colors
All point color varieties are permitted, where the body is light and the points (mask, ears, legs, tail) are darker. Common patterns include Seal Point (deep brown), Blue Point (cool bluish-gray), Chocolate Point (warm brown), and Lilac Point (soft gray-pink). Also accepted are Red Point, Cream Point, Tortie Points, and Tabby Points. The contrast between the body and points must be distinct, and eyes always a vivid, pure blue.
Size
The Thai cat is of medium size. Males are generally larger, weighing 4.5–6 kg; females, 3–4.5 kg. The height at the withers is approximately equal to the body length, forming an almost square frame. The weight must match body proportions, avoiding both heaviness and thinness.
Faults
Faults include disproportionate body structure, overly long or short body, heavy or delicate bone. Heads that are too elongated or flat, weak cheeks, or narrow jaws are undesirable. Eyes of incorrect shape, too small, or pale in color lower evaluation. Ears set too low or high, or excessively large, are faults. Tail deformities, limb curvature, unbalanced gait, or poor coat quality are also penalized. Insufficient color contrast between points and body is considered a fault.
Disqualifications
Disqualifying defects include congenital or acquired faults that make the cat unfit for shows or breeding: severe tail deformities or missing sections, crossed eyes or other serious eye defects, absence of blue eye color, incorrect bite or underdeveloped jaws, deafness or serious hearing defects, limb deformities affecting movement, long hair inconsistent with the standard, absence of point coloration or non-standard colors, as well as signs of aggression or cowardice that prevent proper exhibition behavior. Cats with such deviations are excluded from breeding and show participation.
Important Notes
When evaluating the Thai cat, it is essential to remember that the breed combines the traditional type with natural features. The main emphasis is placed on harmony, balance, and expressiveness without extremes. Eye color must be vivid blue, as it is the breed’s hallmark. Minor natural coat variations caused by climate or age are acceptable if they do not distort the overall look. Breeding should preserve the traditional type without elongating the body or head excessively, keeping the Thai cat distinct from the modern Siamese. During show preparation, special attention should be given to coat condition and overall health.
Conclusion
The Thai cat is a breed that unites ancient tradition with modern harmony. It is valued for its expressive blue eyes, balanced body, and calm temperament. According to ICCF standards, only cats that fully meet exterior, behavior, and color requirements and have no disqualifying traits may participate in shows or breeding. Participation is possible only with official ICCF documentation confirming pedigree and breed purity. This ensures quality control and preservation of the unique breed type. The Thai cat remains a symbol of grace, devotion, and historical heritage, holding an honorable place in the international feline community.
