File:Samutsongkram Thai Cat Center.jpg

English: Located at 2/1 Moo 7, Kwai Om subdistrict, Amphawa district, Thai Cat Centre, known as “Baan Maew Thai Amphawa”, was founded in 2001 by a group of Siamese cat lovers with the aim of publicising proper characteristics of these cats. The centre, presided by Preecha Pookabut – a former village headman of the subdistrict, is supported by the tourist attraction development policy of Samut Songkhram. The place is open daily between 08:00 and 18:00 with no admission fee. Inside the premise, there is an exhibition of different breeds of Siamese cat, with 80 cats on display, and an illustration of 23 breeds extracted from an ancient manuscript written in Ayutthaya period. According to the manuscript, there are 17 breeds that are considered ‘Auspicious’, these being: Rattana Kampol, Wichienmas, Suppalak, Kao Tham, Males (Dok Lao), Sam Sawaet, Nillarat, Wilat, Nilachak, Mulila, Krop Wan (An Ma), Pat Sawaet (Pat Talod), Krachok, Singha Saep, Karawaek, Chatubot, and Konja. Of these, there are only four breeds that still exist, namely Wichienmas, Suppalak, Konja, and Males (Dok Lao), known today as Si Sawat (Korat cat). Also, there are 6 breeds that are considered ‘Inauspicious’, these being: Kop Ploeng, Pan Payak (Tiger-like pattern), Phisat, Hin Thot, Tuppolaphet, and Nep Saniat, all of which became extinct. For Kao Manee, there are a certain number of people mistaking that it is one of the genuine Siamese breed. The fact is this breed was, for the first time, brought into Thailand during the reign of King Rma V, and its name did not appear on the list in the manuscript. At present, Preecha Pookabut is improving the rarest breed “Supalak” (Thong dang) as it is becoming extinct.