Couples Trying to Break 46-Hour Kissing World Record

(Above) Thai couples trying to break the kissing world record

Seven couples in Thailand are competing to break the 46-hour kissing world record.

The tonsil-tickling exploits started on Sunday, two days ahead of Valentines Day. The record, should the winning couple last long enough, will be broken as Valentines Day ticks over in Pattaya, Thailand. At which point I imagine said couple will never want to see one another again.

The current “World’s Longest Continous Kiss” record was clinched with a kiss lasting 46 hours, 24 minutes and nine seconds. It was set in 2011 by Lakkana Tiranarat, 31, and her husband, who have returned this year for another shot (disproving the final sentence in my last paragraph, huh).

In this year’s event, there will be prizes as well as fame for the winning couple, including a diamond ring worth 100,000 baht (roughly $3,300) and a hotel gift voucher for 200,000 baht (almost $6,700)

Each of the seven couples have been given one square meter to kiss in, and all food and drink has to be taken through a straw. There’s no brushing of teeth either, as this would cause lips to separate.

Yet perhaps the worst part is the toilet deal – there’s to be no toilet activity for the first three hours of the kissathon, and after that contestants must keep lips locked while doing their toilet business and be accompanied by a referee on all bathroom breaks. So many things wrong with that. Still, Lakkana is determined to defend her record:

“We’ll try to do better than last year but maybe just for a little longer. We’ll see how tough the other competitors are but we’ll do our best.”

Unsurprisingly, the number of couple competing has halved since 2011, with organiser Somporn Naksuethrong noting:

“The world record last year of 46 hours, 24 minutes and nine seconds is very difficult to beat. Contestants have to be patient to prove their love.”

Indeed. Good luck, all.