Couples Locked Lips Set Another World Record for Pattaya

The marathon kicked off at 6am, with each couple given a space of 1 square meter in which they had to spend the time kissing, without leaving except for bathroom breaks.

Any break in the lip lock resulted in disqualification.

Besides breaking the world record, winning couple Lukksana and Akachai Thiranarut were awarded with a ring worth 50,000 baht and a 100,000 baht cash prize.

Seven other couples also managed to break the world record of 32 hours, 7 minutes and 14 seconds but only Lukksana and Akachai lasted the longest.

"I'm just taking part for fun, and I'm looking forward to kissing for a long time," said Felix Werth, a 32-year-old German participating with his Thai girlfriend, 21-year-old Urairat Oottaboon who gave up after a few hours.

During the event, couples were not allowed to sit, sleep or leave the venue. They also had to continue kissing while using the toilet, with staff accompanying them to verify the fact.

Within the limits, though, organizers did what they could to make the couples comfortable. Werth and Urairat, for example, had a 33-centimetre height difference, so a box was provided for her to stand on.

Food and drink could only be taken through straws, again with lips locked. "I just want to show my love to my boyfriend and everybody who is in love on Valentine's Day," said 31-year-old Nonthawat Charoenkesornsin before the event began.

"These couples, who joined the longest kissing world record, are people who are in love," said organizer Somporn Narksuetrong.

"They want to be part of history by entering this competition to show their love."

But while the spirit was willing, the flesh was weak, with couples starting to drop out as time went on.

One woman fainted after just 34 minutes. Others left after a few hours.

"I could not make it anymore because my neck is hurting," said Amporn Ketmao.

This is Pattaya’s fifth Guinness Book of World Record, others being The Longest Line of Washed Plates, the World’s Largest Speed Dating, the World’s Longest Catwalk and the World’s Largest Aqua-Aerobics Attempt.