Muay Thai (Thai: มวยไทย, RTGS: muai thai, pronounced[mūajtʰāj]ⓘ), sometimes referred to as Thai boxing, is a Thai martial art and full-contactcombat sport that uses stand-up striking, sweeps, and various clinching techniques.[3] This discipline is known as the "Art of eight limbs", as it is characterised by the combined use of fists, elbows, knees and shins.[4] Muay Thai became widespread internationally in the late 20th to 21st century, when Westernised practitioners from Thailand began competing in kickboxing and mixed-rules matches as well as matches under Muay Thai rules around the world. The professional league is governed by The Professional Boxing Association of Thailand (P.A.T.), sanctioned by The Sports Authority of Thailand (S.A.T.).
Muay Thai is related to other martial art styles such as Muay Chaiya, Muay Boran, Muay Lao, Lethwei, Benjang[5] and Tomoi.[6] A practitioner of Muay Thai is known as a Nak Muay. Western practitioners in Thailand are sometimes called Nak Muay Farang, meaning "foreign boxer".[7]
^Delp, Christoph. (2005). Muay Thai Basics: Introductory Thai Boxing Techniques. Berkeley, CA : Blue Snake Books. p. 18. ISBN978-1-58394-140-9LCCN2005-24270 "Muay Thai techniques, particularly those deriving from traditional Muay Thai (Muay Boran)."
Ferreira, Valtemir Lopes. (2021). "Muay Thai, a arte marcial da liberdade," ARTES MARCIAIS, a essência de uma liderança [Martial Arts : The Essence of Leadership]. Santos : Clube de Autores. p. 46.
^O'shei, Tim., Fox, Barbara J., and Rogers, David. (2009). Muay Thai. Mankato, MN: Capstone Press. p. 6. ISBN978-1-4296-1962-2LCCN2007-52209 "The king and his soldiers were trained in Krabi Krabong. Krabi Krabong is the art of using weapons. Muay Thai came from Krabi Krabong."
Crudelli, Chris (2008). "Muay Thai," The Way of the Warrior: Martial arts and fighting styles from around the world. London: Dorling Kindersley. p. 159. ISBN978-075-6-65185-5OCLC763154059