The couple who hold the world record for the longest kiss have given an update on their relationship status.
In 2013, Ekkachai and Laksana Tiranarat of Thailand set the record for the longest kiss, lasting an astonishing 58 hours and 35 minutes, per the Daily Mail.
Their achievement took place during a competition organized by Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in Pattaya, Thailand.
The contest imposed strict rules to ensure fairness. According to Guinness World Records:
- The kiss had to be continuous, with lips touching at all times.
- Participants could drink through a straw but were not allowed to part their lips.
- Couples had to remain standing without support and were not permitted rest breaks.
- Restroom visits were allowed but had to be completed while maintaining the kiss under a referee’s supervision.
- The use of adult diapers or incontinence pads was prohibited.
The competition was physically and mentally demanding.
The 2013 event began with nine couples, including one elderly duo in their 70s, who withdrew after an hour and 38 minutes due to physical strain.
Ekkachai and Laksana’s perseverance earned them a grand prize of 100,000 Thai Baht (approximately $2,967) and two diamond rings of equal value. Their record remains unbeaten.
"We tried to stand straight like statues. Instead of pinching, we were tapping each other on the head with one hand and the other hand [and] we were hugging each other to keep awake," Ekkachai recalled.
However, Guinness World Records ultimately decided to discontinue the category due to the health risks involved.
Participants in past attempts had experienced severe side effects, including hallucinations, muscle cramps, and exhaustion.
In 1999, record-holders Karmit Tzubera and Dror Orpaz nearly fainted after their 30-hour, 45-minute kiss and required hospital treatment.
Similarly, in 2004, another contestant suffered severe muscle cramps and needed oxygen after 31 hours and 18 minutes.
Ekkachai and Laksana were no strangers to the extreme demands of competitive kissing. Before their 2013 victory, they had already broken the record in 2011 by kissing for 46 hours and 24 minutes.
Initially, the couple had not planned to compete. Laksana had recently recovered from an illness, and Ekkachai had hoped to take her on a holiday for a change of scenery.
Sadly, even though they share the record together, the pair have since decided to split.
Speaking on the BBC Witness History podcast, Ekkachai confirmed that the couple has since separated, though he remains proud of their achievement.
"I am very proud. It was a once in a lifetime experience," he told host Megan Jones. "We spent a long time together and I'm trying to remember the good memories and that we did this together."