A married couple who set a record for the duration of a kiss broke up (5 photos)

Ekkachai Thiranarat and his wife Laksana from Thailand set a Guinness World Record in 2013 by kissing for 58 hours and 35 minutes without moving their lips. The once-loving couple sadly announced their split recently.





Ekkachai revealed his split from his wife on the new BBC podcast Witness to History. He remains “very proud” of his record and recalled how difficult the competition was for him. Contestants had to keep kissing even when going to the toilet and drinking water. It wasn't the most pleasant experience, he said.

"I'm very proud. It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing," he told podcast host Megan Jones. "We spent a lot of time together, and I try to remember the good times."



Two-time winners Ekkachai and Laksana first set the world record for the longest kiss in 2011, when they lasted 46 hours and 24 minutes. They weren't originally planning on taking part. Laksana had just recovered from a long illness, and Ekkachai wanted to take her on holiday. However, the 50,000 Thai baht prize and a diamond ring were more than enough to entice the couple.





The man was surprised by the strict rules: participants had to stand and could not use assistive devices such as pillows or armrests. In addition, adult diapers, nappies, or incontinence pads were strictly prohibited. Although couples were allowed to use the toilet, they had to continue kissing.

A total of 14 couples competed.

"Many could not stand it and fainted," says Ekkachai.

Since the contestants were allowed to drink from a straw, Laksana would first put the water in her mouth and then share it with her husband.

By the time there were seven couples left, Ekkachai was close to giving up.

"My wife convinced me to keep going," the record-breaker admits.



In the final, another couple fell asleep and broke their kiss, and the Tiranarat couple emerged victorious.

"My family and friends congratulated me. They were happy for me. I told them, 'Only crazy people can do something like this. A normal person wouldn't try it.'"

In 2012, Ekkachai fell ill and the couple were unable to compete. But the following year, they regained their world record title. They received 100,000 Thai baht and two diamond rings.



To this day, Ekkachai is recognized on the street and asked if he participated in the kissing contest. And since the Guinness Book of World Records stopped such competitions in 2013 due to health risks for couples, the man and his now ex-wife Laksana remain undefeated world record holders.