In most places there aren't any grades.
You don't have to fight competitively, though if you don't at least spar, you won't develop your skills nearly as well as someone who does.
The odds of your face being "smashed to bits" is pretty small. Sure, a busted nose once in a while, a few cuts and bruises, but you're describing it as if you'll need reconstructive surgery after a single fight.
Just join. If you find it isn't for you, then leave.
As others have said, in many places where you can learn Muay Thai you won't need to worry about competitive matches. That being said, if you are afraid of sparring, than you probably shouldn't bother with martial arts. Sparring is how to put into practice all that you've learned through drills and bagwork. Without sparring you can't ever become truly good at an art.
You dont have to fight competitively, but you do spar as it is pretty essential to advancing.
If you want to learn Muay Thai doe you have to fight in the ring or can you learn it all the way to the higher gradings without having to get your face smashed to bits in the ring ?
