Ekkachai and Laksana Tiranarat, the Thai couple who made history by setting the Guinness World Record for the longest kiss at 58 hours and 35 minutes in 2013, have announced their separation.
Speaking on the BBC Sounds podcast Witness History, Ekkachai reflected on their record-breaking achievement and the end of their marriage, expressing pride in their accomplishment.
“I am very proud. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We spent a long time together, and I’m trying to remember the good memories and that we did this together,” he told host Megan Jones.
The couple had initially broken the record in 2011 by kissing for 46 hours and 24 minutes, surpassing the previous record of 32 hours and seven minutes. At the time, they were motivated by the grand prize of 50,000 Thai Baht (approximately £1,200) and a diamond ring.
Despite facing exhaustion and competition from other couples, they persevered. Ekkachai recalled struggling to stay conscious while spectators handed him an inhaler for support. The strict rules of the challenge made it even more demanding—couples had to remain standing, stay awake, and keep their lips touching at all times. Even restroom breaks required them to stay connected.
In 2012, their record was briefly broken by two Thai men who kissed for 50 hours and 25 minutes. Determined to reclaim their title, Ekkachai and Laksana trained hard and entered the 2013 competition with renewed determination. This time, the prize had doubled to 100,000 Thai Baht (around £2,350) and two diamond rings.
Through strategic techniques, including tapping each other’s heads to stay awake, they ultimately outlasted their competitors and reclaimed their title. When their final rivals gave up, Ekkachai recalled feeling exhausted rather than celebratory.
Their record remains unbeaten, as Guinness World Records discontinued the longest kiss category due to safety concerns. Despite their separation, their extraordinary feat continues to be remembered as one of the most remarkable endurance challenges in history.
