Muay Thai originated in Thailand and has 2 types of uses. The first is obviously the sport element where the fighters are in a ring and participate in rituals associated with their Thai camp. Each has their own ceremonial dance and each opponent wears a ceremonial head dress called a Mongkol. The Muay Thai Fighter then engage in the fight itself where there are few rules compared with our American Kickboxing. Not only can a Muay Thai Fighter use fists, but elbows are permitted along with knee strikes and shin kicks. Metal cups are typically worn rather than plastic, and knockouts from an elbow or kick to the face is common.
Second is the combative version of Muay Thai, where swords are used in a facet of the art called krabi-krabong. The Muay Thai Fighter will throw in a stamp kick to the chest while attacking with the sword. The empty hand applications is also very strong, since a Muay Thai Fighter prefers to throw elbows and knees in place of just kicks and punches. During actual Warfare these elements proved lethal and provided the people of thailand with a very effective defense system.