The country of origin of the KORAT breed is Thailand where it is also called si-sawat

Since hundred of years this cat has been known there and has been very popular. Nevertheless, also in Thailand the KORAT is a rare breed which can hardly be bought. It is considered to be a lucky cat and luck shall not be sold but only given away. ( Among other things, "sawat" also means luck and prosperity ).
It is only available in a silver-blue colour-combination which has been the colour of origin to this day.
Every cat of a different colour is no real KORAT. All real KORATs can pursue their ancestors back to Thailand.

The KORAT is legendary. Therefore, it is no wonder that the Thais have a high opinion of their KORATs. Only rarely, if ever, will they sell one of them. They might give one away to people they particularly honour and appreciate.

The Thais consider their KORAT cats to be mascots. They are surrounded by many lucky customs. Their silver colour symbolizes wealth but at the same time it is the colour of a rain cloud; the colour of their eyes looks like young rice which means a good harvest. If you give a pair of Si-Sawat cats to a bride, she will surely be happily married.

So, what is it about these cats with their great past make them so particular and lovely for us?

KORATs are gentle pets which move softly and calmly. They do not like sudden or loud and shrill noises. KORATs can hear, see and smell particularly well. From birth on, exhibition animals have to get used to noise and contact with people they do not know by playing a radio in the cats' playroom and by lifting the cat early and putting it into the right position like a judge will do it.
KORAT cats show an extremely close relationship to their owners and respond warmly to caress.

When playing, the KORATs are wild and vivid. They prefer to be among themselves and they thrive best when each of them is taken care of. They do get along well with other cats, however, they like to get the upper hand. They are very intelligent, they want to participate in everything and they do not allow others to dispute their right to the place next to their owners.

The constant company of their person and his sympathy are important for KORAT cats. For hundreds of years they have been cuddled in their home country and they expect that this tradition is continued everywhere.

The extraordinary ability of these cats to love makes them so precious for lonely people and fulfils the demands of people who try to find much contact and understanding in their animals. They never destroy anything intentionally; although they like to romp around, their nature is not nasty.

If you consider the cat from the front, you will first look at the eyes. They cannot be compared with the eyes of any other cat. They are extremely big compared with the face, having a depth and a breathtaking look  - as flashing as a dewdrop on a lotus.  The cats are born with blue eyes, then the colour changes to amber with a green glimmer around the pupil. Only when the cat is grown up (it might take three years or longer), the colour of the eyes changes to a sparkling green.

The simple blue coat of the KORAT is soft and close-fitting, each hair has a silvery tip. Like a halo, this silver glimmer surrounds the whole gently rounded body of this cat. The Thais call this highly esteemed tipping "meerschaum".

When the KORAT is brushed or stroked, their hairs do not fly. Many people who are allergic to cat hair, can endure KORAT cats in their surrounding. KORATs have to be brushed carefully so that the close-fitting hair shines like a polished silver coin.

The Korat is possibly the only old breed that is bred in its old original form both in western countries as well as in its country of origin.