BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand, known for its rich culture and stunning landscapes, has added another feather to its cap. The Suphalak cat, an ancient Thai breed, has recently received global recognition from the World Cat Federation (WCF). This achievement is the result of over a decade of dedicated breeding and conservation efforts by Thai cat enthusiasts.
We visited Baan Maeo Thai Bangrak (Bangrak Thai Cat Home) to learn more about this remarkable feline and the man behind its success, Preecha Wattana also known as Uncle Preecha.
Uncle Preecha is a passionate cat conservator who has tirelessly worked to bring the Suphalak cat to the world stage. His 11-year journey finally culminated in the WCF’s official recognition of the breed on August 20 this year.
While the Siamese cat is perhaps the most well-known Thai breed internationally, Thailand is actually home to five ancient cat breeds: Siamese, Korat, Khaomanee, Konja (Black Siamese), and Suphalak. The Suphalak cat is particularly distinguished by its uniform reddish-brown coat, amber eyes, and reddish-orange paw pads.
Uncle Preecha expressed concern about the global trend of other countries claiming Thai cultural heritage as their own. He emphasized the importance of Thais protecting their intellectual property and celebrating their unique cultural treasures. (TNA)
