Monday, February 14, 2011

  Longest Kiss: Couples in Thailand set new world record (Video)

 PATTAYA, Thailand -- Seven determined couples locked lips for more than 36 hours to celebrate Valentine's Day in this southern Thai beach resort town - setting the new world record for the Longest Kiss .
  Photo: Participants kiss during an attempt to break the world record for the longest kiss.Photo: Reuters/Chaiwat Subprasom ( enlarge photo )

  The previous Guinness world record for the Longest Kiss was 32 hours, 7 minutes and 14 seconds. set by Nikola Matovic and Kristina Reinhart in Germany in February 2009.

Guinness World Records also recognized the longest time to kiss a car world record: 32 hr, achieved by Artur Sattelmaier (Germany), Farina Tartsch (Germany), Olivia Obstoj (Germany), Kevin Egner (Germany), Lydia Mescerinov (Germany) Kamilla Kolodziej (21) (Germany), Jennifer Odenwald (Germany), Marco Alonge (Germany) und Daniela Hamza (Germany).

  "We didn't think we would find anybody that could break the record," said Somporn Naksuetrong, the manager of Pattaya's Louis Tussaud's Waxworks museum, which organized the competition. That seven couples apparently did, he said, "is amazing."

   "We want to show that love is meaningful and powerful," Somporn said. "It's not easy to stand there and kiss for that long. They really have to help each other and support each other."

  Thailand is still a conservative nation where kissing in public ? even a small peck ? is frowned upon. Participants had to show proof they were either married or truly a couple. A letter from both parents or a marriage certificate was acceptable.

   The couples who took part were mainly Thai and ranged in age from 21 to 51. There was one German man with a Thai woman, and also a gay couple.

  According to the Guinness World Records rules, the lovebirds' lips cannot part at any time. They are allowed to drink things like water, coffee, milk or juice - but only through straws while continuing to kiss. The harshest rule: no sitting or sleeping.

   They also have to remain embraced during bathroom breaks possible every three hours - accompanied by contest monitors.   

The last couple left kissing will win a diamond ring worth 50,000 Thai Baht (£1,000), and a 100,000 Baht (£2,000) cash prize.

  One of the couples who registered marriage yesterday also won a condominium, while 12 other newlyweds won gold marriage certificates in the district's prize draw. Furthermore, the district office refused to process any divorces yesterday.

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