70's was a different MA era

[Kellen Bassette]

people say Thai was influenced by immigrants from southern China. I doubt it tho. localized arts have a similar flavor. northern kung Fu looks similar. southern kung Fu has a similar look and characteristics. southern kung fu however looks nothing like Muay Thai. Thai looks like bando, golden boxing, bokator, pradal serey, etc. Muay Thai likely came from cambodia.

Many southern styles look like Muay Boran. Old Muay Thai has a lot in common with what we call "traditional" martial arts.

I've never heard any convincing evidence from any view point. But based on the appearance, the forms in Muay Boran, the fact that they used poems for naming techniques and other circumstantial evidence, I believe there was probably a Chinese connection. Of course there may not have been as well.

I would be more inclined to consider Burma than Cambodia for origins of Muay Thai.