Siamese and Copper cats
Articles of interest to the Wichienmas and Supphalak cats. For the Siamese Wichien means "diamond" and mas means "moon" or "gold" depending on which final "s" is used. So it can be "Moon Diamond" (the spelling in the Wat Anongkharam cremation book) or "Gold and Diamonds" (most older spellings and what seems to be accepted as the standard modern spelling also).
For the Copper, suppha is a superlative prefix, and lak comes from laksana "characteristic", so, "superlative characteristic", or as in my book*, "Excellent Type", while thong daeng (literally "red gold") is the element "copper", hence "Copper".
Kamnan Preecha and Ampawa
Ampawa's floating market is a popular day trip destination from Bangkok and the Thai Cat Centre is one of its supplemental attractions which was founded some years ago when Governor Nawin Khanthahiran of Samut Songkram approached Kamnan Preecha Pukkabut, a local leader noted for his love of Thai cats, which he dates from looking after a Wichienmas cat as a child.
For practical purposes, Preecha settled on four Tamra Maew-derived breeds: Wichianmas, Suppalak, Korat, and Konja (black cat), plus the Khaomanee. Preecha's breeding success has been particularly great with the Coppers, which are very beautiful and numerous at the Thai Cat centre.
Kamnan Preecha's granddaughter Khun Ta currently holds the organizational reins of the big cattery, which will hopefully continue its role as the major Thai Cat cattery in the country for some time to come.
Siamese and Copper Gallery: Ampawa
Kamnan Preecha with one of his champion Siamese.
Khun Ta and a fevourite copper
Copper in the nursery building with babies
Ampawa signs
Map showing location of Thai Cat Center relative to Ampawa Floating Market.
Lots of amazing signs and posters at the Thai Cat Center.
"Ancient Thai cats remaining in the present day are only 4 kinds". Kamnan Preecha uses the illustrations from the Wat Anongkharam cremation book*. In this gallery, all 23 cats are recorded.
Two more examples of "the five".
Very nicely done poster, presumably with Preecha's cats. The title reads, "Preserve Thai cats, preserve Thai heritage.
Ampawa postcards
Here are Thai cat postcards on sale at the Thai Cat Centre in Ampawa.
Fridge magnets
Ampawa's markets have many fridge magnets, but these were on sale at the Thai Cat Centre, and I bought as many different ones as i could. As you can see on my fridge, they are either photos of cats or Thai cat heads. Five heads available: Wichienmas, Supphalak, Korat, Konja and Khaomanee. Two baskets of fish for them all.
Siamese and Copper Gallery: Wat Thong Noppakhun
Luang Pu's foundation dam, with kitten.
Almost black, very dark sable Copper.
Probably belongs in the other gallery, the points are not exactly sealpoint in colour.
The Siamese-Copper sibling pair, who have a cameo in the movie, if you look hard enough.
Everybody say "Awwwwwww".
"Is this all??!! Cheezburger az well plz!"
Street cat number 1
This little fellow was hanging out in the car park of Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, clearly a feral Siamese or Siamese/Copper mix, once again with kinked tail.
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