The couple who once held the Guinness World Record for the longest kiss, lasting an incredible 58 hours and 35 minutes, have revealed that they are no longer together. Ekkachai Tiranarat and his then-wife Laksana, from Thailand, achieved the record in 2013, surpassing their previous record of 46 hours and 24 minutes set in 2011.
In an interview on the BBC Sounds podcast *Witness History*, Ekkachai shared that the couple has since separated but expressed pride in their achievement. “I am very proud. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” he told host Megan Jones. Reflecting on their time together, he added, “We spent a long time together, and I’m trying to remember the good memories and that we did this together.”
The competition was far from easy, with strict rules requiring the couple to keep their lips touching at all times, remain standing, and stay awake throughout the attempt. They were also prohibited from using aids like adult diapers and had to continue kissing even during toilet breaks. Ekkachai recalled being “stunned” by the rules, which included passing water between each other’s mouths, making the experience far from enjoyable.
Despite the grueling conditions, Ekkachai and Laksana persevered. “There were a lot of people there, around 14 couples competing, and a lot of media hovering around them,” Ekkachai said. “I felt like I was going to faint, and some of the spectators handed me an inhaler to support me along the way.”
By the final stages of the competition, which concluded on February 14, 2012, the couple noticed their rivals raising their hands to signal they had given up. Reflecting on their victory, Ekkachai admitted, “The happiness was overclouded with how tired I was. I just wanted to rest and drink.”
While their relationship has ended, Ekkachai remains proud of their record-breaking achievement, which stands as a testament to their determination and teamwork.
