One of the first televised bouts in 1921 was between a Thai fighter and a Khmer fighter, and the Khmer fighter won.
In the 70's, Thai fighters challenged Mas Oyama's students, and they went over to Thailand, fought in their competitions, 2/3 of the Kyokushin fighters won with ease, the other lost by points. The one who lost went on to make what Kickboxing and Karate was back then more like what he experienced in Thailand, because in Karate you weren't allowed to kick and you only got points by knockdowns. In Kickboxing you were not allowed to hold your opponent down and you had to give them time to reset the round to star tthe fight again if he is knocked down or out of the ring.
Even today, Thai fighters don't have much success in and outside of their ring when paired against fighters of different discipline. Kwonkicker won his bout despite a HUGE weight difference. My pal Tony "Brickslayer" has victories in MMA against Muay Thai fighters. Ozaki has wins in K-1. Andy Hug has a LOT of victories over Muay Thai fighters in Karate, K-1 and Muay Thai competitions.
Several others have. So no, Muay Thai is not at all powerful, it's just that everyone is focussed on the few, the VERY few fighters from Muay Thai who have good success in the sport.
Martial arts aren't "powerful", the people doing them are. With that being said, the emphasis on being in great shape and hitting with power is a constant in many Muay Thai classes, so it tends to breed the sort of people who hit hard.
Because Muay Thai Fighters move and strike quickly and deliver powerful punches and kicks
Cuz muai thai fighters earn a living by it so they work only for i and don't use fancy kick or punches they use only some defined punches,kicks,elbows,knees and the dedicate their life for it.
-they use the strongest/hardest part of the body to attack.
-their training are usually goddamn crazy.
-they aim at the weakest points of human (which are mostly FATAL)
