Muay Thai or Kick Boxing's Has a Long History:

This martial art form of boxing called Kick Boxing has a long history in Thailand, being a favourite with the army of olden days, whose version of Muay Thai is called Lerdrit. It is from this former period that the lengthy ritual and ceremony that is performed before the fight (ram uay) derives, a ritual that is performed both for religious reasons and as a stretching warmup.

The current style is very different to the military style. Today it is a sport which uses kicks and punches with the contestants using gloves similar to those used in boxing.

Kick Boxing - The Science of Eight Limbs: