Korat cats and the mysterious Nakhon Ratchasima province.

Ever since I saw a Korat I knew I needed one in my life. Now I have two.

The Korat cat, Si-siwat or the royal cat of Thailand is a breed of cat this is often mistaken for other blue cats.

Similar in appearance to a Russian blue, the Korat cat is probably the best cat to have. Half dog, half cat, highly intelligent and a fantastic companion. I can honestly say they are a cat persons cat and a dog persons cat.

I remember when my cats Raja and Jai (short for Thammaraja and Jai-dee) first came into my life. I was transfixed by their energy, spirit and their propensity to play fetch. Now getting on a bit at 11 years old I have started to wonder where did this breed come from?

The Korat is a Thai cat. Indeed it can be said that a Korat is only a Korat if its pedigree can be traced back to Thailand, a cat with a passport!

I’ve written a poem about my two:

The Korat

Steel blue,

sharp cries,

thats how you see into your Korats eyes.

Like rainforest

pitter patter like raindrops,

lurking, hiding and occasionally turning,

to accept,

love.

sit.

Thats the thing about Korats. You can tell they are from the land of smiles.

It’s in their DNA.

You will never feel the love more than that of a Korat, always eager for attention. The ultimate lap cat and the ultimate show off.

The most interesting thing about them is their colour.

It is speculated that the colour developed to camouflage them leaping on the granite boulders or Nakhon Ratchasima. The grey allowing them to successfully capture prey as they leap around finding the warmest place on the hot rocks.

It’s a beautiful image when you think about the beautiful boulders existing across the granite belt in Thailand.

You see, Korats are considered a natural breed, dating back hundreds of years according to ancient Thai texts. Great reading here https://www.koratworld.com/smudkoi2.html

and, according to Thai custom are gifted in pairs to Thai newlyweds as a symbol of good luck and fortune. This probably explains why they didn’t really exist outside of Thailand until after the 1960s

But I want to explore where this spectacular breed comes from.

I need to visit Nakhon Ratchasima in Thailand.

Will I find Korats wandering the streets?

Will I see them in temples being worshipped like Egyptian cats of old?

Like taking my mum to Scotland so she could collect all of the families tartan and pins and souvenir or any ancestors surname, I must do this for my cats.

Crazy cat lady level of adventure unlocked.

Thailand here I come.