The Korat or si-sawat cat was discovered in Ampur Pimai of the Korat province in Thailand. Korats are a slate blue-grey short-haired breed of domestic cat with a small to medium build and a low percentage of body fat. Their bodies are semi-cobby, and surprisingly heavy for their size. They are intelligent, playful, active cats and form strong bonds with people. Among Korats' distinguishing characteristics are their heart-shaped heads and large green eyes. They are one of a few breeds where individuals have only one color.
The Korat has a unique head structure that is based off of a “heart shape.” There are a total of five hearts associated with the Korat. The head contains three of these heart-shapes: looking straight on at the Korat, you see the Valentine-shaped heart of the head. The second heart is found by looking down over the top of the Korat’s head, and the third heart associated with the head is the nose. The fourth heart can be found in the muscular area of the chest when the cat is in a sitting position. But the most commonly forgotten heart is the one inside the cat! As the Korat matures, the heart shapes become more prominent.
The Korat is a natural breed, and one of the oldest stable cat breeds. Originating in Thailand, it is named after the Nakhon Ratchasima province (typically called "Korat" by the Thai people). In Thailand the breed is known as Si-Sawat, meaning "color of the sawat seed". They are known colloquially as the "good luck cat" and are given in pairs to newlyweds or to people who are highly esteemed, for good luck. Until recently, Korats were not sold, but only given as gifts.
Korats have extraordinary powers of hearing, sight and scent. They form strong bonds with their owners and respond warmly to cuddling, sitting as close as possible. They are very active in play but gentle with children.
The Korat is possibly the cat in the fancy that most closely resembles its original look – more than any other breed. Comparing a Korat from the earliest pictures to one from today, one finds little to no difference in the cats.