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The Scratching Post
Thai 
The Thai cat (also known as the Wichien-Maat) is a medium to slightly large, pointed cat descended from and resembling the indigenous pointed cats of Thailand. Though it may have the look of the Siamese, it does not have the same extreme appearance. The face is heart-shaped. The round eyes are deep blue and are brilliant and luminous. The ears are medium to large in size, wide at the base with oval tips. The body is muscular, slender and elegant. The legs are medium in length with rounded paws. The tail is medium and tapers slightly to a point. The coat is silky with very little undercoat. The face, ears, paws and tail are all dark while the rest of the body is light.
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Temperament
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The Thai Blue Point is known for being affectionate, loyal and intelligent. This breed craves attention but will attach itself to only one person in the household. If you want a quiet cat, the Thai may not be for you as they are considered a vocal breed. They have a loud, low-pitched voice that has been compared to the cries of a human baby. These cats are very active and playful, even as adults.
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Weight
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Weight: 6-12 lbs.
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Health Problems
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Like many blue-eyed white cats, they may have reduced hearing ability.
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Living Conditions
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Your Thai can live fine in an apartment, but needs lots of room to run and play indoors.
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Exercise
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If your cat is kept indoors, it should be allowed to run throughout the apartment or home.
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Life Expectancy
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15 or more years
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Grooming
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This breed requires little grooming. They keep themselves very clean, with little maintenance on the owner's part.
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Origin
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In Thailand, this elegant cat was imported to England to help develop the popular show-style Siamese. But over the years, the Wichien-Maat has stayed true to its original breeding, which is still popular today in Thailand. While the Thai has common ancestry with the Western Siamese, generations of separate breeding of these two cats have spearheaded the development of two distinct breeds. In America, the show Siamese dominated in the show halls beginning in the 1950s, while a few select breeders worked diligently to maintain the look of the first imported Siamese from Thailand known as the Thai Blue Point cat. The Thai is the designation in TICA for a breed also known as the Traditional Siamese.
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