Other Name
In his home country of Thailand, the Korat is a living symbol of luck and prosperity. He is quieter than the Siamese, to whom he is related, but he definitely will let you know what he’s thinking. His compact, muscular body wears a short, easy-care coat in bluish-gray tipped with silver. One of the oldest and naturally purest breeds found today is the Korat. The original descent is not known, nor is it known when this breed broke from the jungle to make its place with humans. The standards for the Korat, however, are strict.
This silvery-blue beauty is an ancient breed from Thailand. Pictures of the Korat, also known as the Si-Sawat, appear in a book about cats that dates to Thailand’s Ayudhya period (1350-1767). In it, the Korat is described as a cat that brings good fortune. The cats were never sold, but a pair of Korats was a favored gift. Centuries-old paintings of Korats look much like the breed as it is today, and all modern Korats have family trees with roots in Thailand. In the late 19th century, some solid blue “Siamese” cats were exhibited in England but were probably Korats. It wasn’t until 1959 that a Korat lived in the United States. Nara and Darra arrived with a couple who were given the cats after retiring from U.S. Foreign Service work in Thailand. The Cat Fanciers Association recognized the breed in 1967, and all cat registries now recognize the Korat.
