Felis catus
Wichianmat
Featured photowichianmat.jpgThe Wichianmat is the traditional Thai pointed cat described in the Tamra Maew and exported to the West in the 19th century as the original Siamese. The name means 'moon diamond' or 'diamonds and gold' in Thai. After Western breeders developed the extreme-type Siamese and Balinese lines, the original moderate Thai type was recognized separately as the Thai by TICA (2007) and as the Wichianmat by WCF. It retains a rounder head, fuller body, and less extreme conformation than the modern show Siamese.
Quick facts
- Origin country
- Thailand
- Origin period
- Documented in Tamra Maew, Ayutthaya period; exported to UK 1884
- Coat type
- Short
- Coat colors
- Seal point (cream/fawn body, dark brown points), Blue point, Chocolate point, Lilac point
- Size category
- Medium
- Average lifespan
- 12-18 years
- Recognition
- TICA 2007
Origin and Tamra Maew Heritage
The Wichianmat is the original seal-pointed Thai cat described in the Tamra Maew as the most auspicious of the traditional breeds. The manuscript depicts a white-bodied cat with dark facial mask, ears, legs, and tail, matching the seal-point coloring now associated with the Siamese. The name means 'moon diamond' (wichian = diamond/gem; mat = moon) and is sometimes translated as 'jewel of the moon' or 'diamonds and gold.' The cats were kept at the Thai royal court and in Buddhist temples in central Thailand. The first documented export to the West occurred in 1884 when Edward Gould received two cats from King Chulalongkorn's court.
Divergence from Modern Siamese
After the Wichianmat was introduced to Western cat shows in the late 19th century, breeders gradually selected for increasingly elongated conformation: a longer, narrower wedge head; larger ears; a more tubular body; and longer legs and tail. The GCCF, CFA, and FIFe standards evolved to favor this extreme type. By the 1970s, many enthusiasts who preferred the original moderate body type were calling their cats 'traditional', 'old-style', or 'apple-head' Siamese. Preservation programs in both Thailand and the West worked to document and maintain the original type. TICA accepted it as a distinct breed under the name Thai in 2007; the WCF registers it under its historical Thai name Wichianmat.
Appearance
The Wichianmat/Thai standard describes a cat of moderate foreign type: a rounded apple-shaped head rather than the elongated wedge of the modern Siamese; medium-sized, slightly rounded ears; almond-shaped blue eyes that are slightly less oblique than the extreme Siamese type; a medium-length, muscular body; and a tapering tail. The coat is short, fine, and glossy. Point colors include seal, blue, chocolate, and lilac on a pale cream to fawn body. The overall impression is of a moderate, athletic cat rather than the ultra-refined show Siamese.
Sources & further reading (3)
- registry-breed-profile — accessed 2026-05-07
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-05-07
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-05-07
Frequently asked questions
Is the Wichianmat the same as the Siamese?
The Wichianmat is the ancestral form from which the modern Siamese breed was developed. After 19th-century imports to Europe, Western breeders progressively selected for more extreme conformation, diverging significantly from the original Thai type. Today the Wichianmat (recognized by TICA as the Thai) has a rounder head, fuller body, and less angular features than the show Siamese. They share the same pointed pattern and blue eyes.
What does Wichianmat mean?
Wichianmat is a Thai compound meaning 'moon diamond' or 'gem of the moon.' Wichian can mean diamond, gem, or brilliant object; mat refers to the moon. The Tamra Maew describes the cat as a living jewel of the highest auspiciousness. The name reflects the cat's pale body and bright blue eyes, both qualities associated with moonlight in Thai aesthetic tradition.
How did Wichianmat cats reach Europe?
The first documented Wichianmat cats arrived in the United Kingdom in 1884, brought by Edward Blencowe Gould who had served as British Consul-General in Bangkok and received two cats (Pho and Mia) as a gift. Owen Gould exhibited them at Crystal Palace shows, where they attracted wide interest. Additional imports followed in the 1880s and 1890s, forming the foundation of the British Siamese breed.
