Muay Thai (Thai: มวยไทย, RTGS: muai thai,
pronounced [mūa̯j tʰāj] (listen)), sometimes referred to as Thai boxing, is a
combat sport that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching
techniques.[1] This discipline is known as the
"art of eight limbs", as it is characterised by the combined use of
fists, elbows, knees and shins.[2] 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
musti-yuddha, Adimurai, muay Chaiya, muay boran, muay Lao, lethwei, pradal
serey and tomoi.[3] Muay Thai developed from the
traditional muay boran.[4] A practitioner of muay Thai is known
as a nak muay. Western practitioners in Thailand are sometimes called nak muay
farang, meaning "foreign boxer".[5]