What is a TICA Thai?
TICA Thai and the Siamese
The TICA Thai, also known as the Traditional or old style Siamese, and the modern Siamese both share a historical origin in Thailand but have diverged in appearance due to different breeding standards. The TICA Thai aims to preserve the original traits of the Siamese cats found in Thailand before selective breeding altered their appearance, resulting in a breed with a moderate physique, resembling the same breed standard developed in 1914 by America’s Siamese Cat Society.
In contrast, the modern Siamese has undergone extensive selective breeding resulting in a sleek, slender body with an elongated tubular shape, with angular features. Both standards have been approved championship breeds in TICA since 2010.
Thai Breed
It is important to understand that this breed is dedicated to preserving the native pointed cat of Thailand in its original form. Thais, also known as the Traditional Siamese, possess a unique charm reminiscent of late 19th and early 20th-century royal cats of Thailand. They are moderate in type, boasting rounder features and a wide range of coat colors including seal point, chocolate point, blue point, and lilac point. These cats are not only highly intelligent but also people-loving, active, and endowed with a great sense of humor. Living with a Thai is like living with small children—they’re curious, adventurous, and always eager to be involved in your activities. Thais are renowned for their communicative nature; they’re not necessarily loud, but they’re certainly chatty and will eagerly greet you with meows and taps of the paw. While they’re relatively easy to maintain physically due to their self-cleaning nature, they require daily emotional attention to thrive. Their unique head shape and body style distinguish them from other shorthaired, pointed breeds, with features including a long, flat forehead, rounded cheeks, and a distinct wedge-shaped muzzle. Thais make exceptional companions for those seeking a close bond with their feline friend.
The TICA Thai Breed Standard
This is the standard to which all TICA Thai breeders follow. The head is described as a modified wedge shape, slightly longer than wide, with rounded cheeks and a muzzle that tapers to a rounded end resembling a tapering garden spade. The forehead is flat and long. The nose is nearly straight with a slight downward slope, and in profile, it may be straight or slightly convex. The eyes are medium to slightly large, almond-shaped, and set slightly more than an eye width apart. They should be a deep blue color with brilliance and luminosity being more important than the depth of color. Ears are medium to slightly large, wide at the base, and oval-tipped, with the tips pointing outward at an angle, somewhat like the fingers in a “peace sign. The muzzle is medium to slightly long, wedge-shaped, with little or no whisker break, and medium-boned. The chin should be neither weak nor too prominent and aligned vertically with the nose. Overall, the head should reflect the breed’s heritage as the indigenous pointed cats of Thailand, with a balanced appearance and character.
