New World Record: Longest kiss in history

A determined Thai couple locked lips for 46 hours, 24 minutes and nine seconds to celebrate Valentine's Day in this southern beach resort town, emerging victorious and exhausted after a landmark "kissathon" that organizers claim marked the longest recorded smooch in history.

The previous record of just over 32 hours was set in 2009 by a couple in Germany, according to Guinness World Records.

Chaiyapol Sutthayon, left, kisses his wife, Chittakorn Sutthayon.

The pair won a diamond ring worth 50,000 Thai Baht ( € 1,200), and a 100,000 Baht (€2400) cash prize.

The Competitors:

One woman participating with her boyfriend fainted just half an hour after it began Sunday.

About 35 hours into the marathon, 37-year-old Preedi Singhajan scribbled a note on a paper tablet to his 51-year-old partner, Rungnapa Rojananawin.

"Can you go on?" he asked.

She soon answered by ending their embrace. Attendants swiftly sat the couple down and a nurse took Rojananawin's pulse.

The couples who took part were mainly Thai and ranged in age from 21 to 51. There was one German man with a Thai woman, and also a gay couple.

Conditions to participate:

According to the rules, the lovebirds' lips could not part at any time. They were allowed to drink things like water, coffee, milk or juice — but only through straws while continuing to kiss. They also had to remain embraced during bathroom breaks possible every three hours — accompanied by contest monitors.

The harshest rule: no sitting or sleeping.

Participants also had to show proof they were either married or truly a couple — a letter from both parents or a marriage certificate was acceptable.