The official site "International Amateur Muay Thai Federation" (IAMTF) at: http://www.iamtf.org/takraw/takrawhistory.html 

gives more info about the origins of what they call "Lawd Huang" or "Hoop Takraw" as follows:

"Today, 500 years later, the circle game is still popular form of takraw played recreationally throughout Southeast Asia and has taken hold in other countries as a form of recreational "sport for all". The circle game has more recently evolved into a competitive sport in its own right. First, in Thailand, a game was developed where players hang a hoop 5.8 meters above the center of a circle. The more difficult the style of kick used to put the ball through the hoop, the more points are awarded for the successful kick. This style is known as Takraw 'Lawd Huang' or Hoop Takraw.

A new variation of Hoop Takraw was approved during the International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF) Biennial Congress held in November 1996. Known as 'Circle Takraw' or 'Circle Event', the game is played with 5 players who stand in a circle and receive different levels of points for each passing kick. The more difficult the passing kick, the more points are awarded the team. The circle event has been included as a medal event in the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games"

"Circle Sepak Takraw (where 5 players who stand in a circle receive different levels of points for each successful passing kick - actually a modification of an earlier game that was popular in Thailand called Hoop Takraw), was introduced for the first time in the 1998 Asian Games"

The original  page including the paragraph about "hoop takraw" has seen widespread circulation on the internet and most Takraw and Sepak Takraw directories give it prominence. Just check these sites:

Takraw is played in various versions in most parts of Southeast Asia. But perhaps no where else is this startling game, in which players must neither touch the ball nor let it touch the ground,  played with the enthusiasm and vigour shown by Thailand's star performers. Games are played in the courtyards of wats, at fairgrounds, and (particularly during the kite flying season when there is little or no rain) at the Pramane Grounds in Bangkok. The small and hollow rattan balls which are the essential-and sometimes only necessary equipment for a game are sold in rattan shops and sporting goods shops throughout the country.

But that's not all. One can use elbows, shoulders, even the posterior. The more complicated and impressive your feats, the better your score (Or, if a score is not being kept, the better your audience's reaction : spectators can be demanding, if not downright ruthless, in their judgments).

One of the most difficult of all acts is seen in a game of hoop takraw, The player makes a hoop of his arms behind his back, and kicks the ball with his heels through the hoop in such a way that it also passes through a hoop suspended in the air. (If you groan at the thought better not try it).

Hoop takraw seems to be the most popular version of takraw in Thailand. A team usually consists of seven players (there can be no less than six) who stand at the perimeter of a circle. During a 30 minute period, the players cooperate with each other to earn a high score. Hoops are suspended over the centre and the players must hit the ball through them. Successive teams try to surpass the previous score.

Net takraw is somewhat like badminton, in that it requires a net and a court. Lots are drawn beforehand to determine placement of the players and the first serve. Near the net, the ball is then tossed to a teammate in the middle of the court, who kicks it into the opposite camp. The game then proceeds at an incredible pace as the ball is returned instantaneously sometimes to great heights. Some players wear rubber plimsolls, while others are barefoot. Net takraw is played in the SEAP Games (now called SEA Games) and other international competitions. The Thais introduced it to the SEAP Games while the Myanmar introduced the variation called imitation ring, where in a player takes a particular position to toss the ball and all other players must imitate that position.

Apart from net and hoop takraw, other variations are popular in Thailand. One of these is in-tossing takraw, which has far less rules to abide by : the point is simply to see how many times the ball can be hit aloft by the player. It is a means of training for a player. Some can hit the ball from positions which call for stooping or lying down. A good player should be able to keep the ball aloft for ten minutes, and if he is joined by others the group should manage to keep it in play for close to an hour. Naturally, this is a skill which only the most adept players can manage : they have trained arduously and are able to concentrate for a long period as well as to use their bodies dexterously.

Other variations of the game are : In-scoring takraw played with no nets or hoops, the ball rotates from player to player, and each is scored according to the skill displayed. After 30 minutes or 10 starting throws, the highest score determines the winner. There is also Big and small ring takraw, played by 7 or 5 players who stand in circles and are given points for style, consistency and retrieval of difficult balls, Takraw wong (Circle Takraw) is commonly seen everywhere around the country.

Takraw Lot Huang (Hoop Takraw) competition usually takes places at Sanam Luang during the summer season (February to April); and Net Takraw matches can be seen either at the National

Stadium (Tel : 214-4860, 214-0202, 214-0134) or at Hua Mak Stadium (Tel : 318-0940-4).