Ever wonder what it actually feels like to have your lips glued to another human being for more than two days? Most people think about the world guinness record for longest kiss and imagine some peak romantic movie scene. Slow music, soft lighting, the whole deal.
The reality? It was a nightmare.
Honestly, it wasn't romantic at all. By the 50th hour, it was basically a survival horror movie with better breath mints. The current (and likely permanent) record holders are Ekkachai and Laksana Tiranarat. Back in 2013, this Thai couple locked lips for a staggering 58 hours, 35 minutes, and 58 seconds.
That is nearly two and a half days of standing. No sitting. No sleeping. No breaks.
Why the World Guinness Record for Longest Kiss is Officially "Dead"
If you're thinking about grabbing your partner and trying to beat that 58-hour mark today, don't bother. You can't.
Guinness World Records officially deactivated the category. They nuked it. Why? Because people were quite literally almost dying for a plaque and some diamond rings. The competition became a legal and medical liability that the organization couldn't justify anymore.
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When you stop and look at the rules they had to follow, you'll see why it was total madness:
- Lips could never part. Not for a millisecond. If a referee saw a gap, you were out.
- No sitting or leaning. You had to stand upright like a statue.
- Bathroom breaks? Still kissing. A referee followed you into the stall to make sure your lips stayed connected while you... well, you get it.
- No diapers. Adult nappies were strictly forbidden.
- Hydration was a puzzle. You could drink through a straw, but only if the straw fit between the corners of your mouths without breaking the seal.
The 2013 event in Pattaya, organized by Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, was the breaking point. By the end, contestants weren't just tired; they were suffering from psychosis. Sleep deprivation is a hell of a drug. People were hallucinating, their legs were failing, and some had to be rushed to the hospital immediately after the clock stopped.
The Physical Toll of a 58-Hour Smooch
It sounds funny until you hear about the 1999 winners, Karmit Tzubera and Dror Orpaz. They lasted 30 hours and 45 minutes, won the prize, and then almost fainted into their trophies. They were rushed to the hospital for exhaustion.
Then there was Andrea Sarti in 2004. He had to be resuscitated with oxygen after 31 hours. He was cramping so badly he couldn't stand, but he kept his lips on his girlfriend while she massaged his legs to keep him from collapsing.
You've got to wonder what goes through someone's head at hour 40. Ekkachai Tiranarat later admitted that they were tapping each other on the head and hugging tightly just to stay awake. It wasn't about love; it was about "taking back what belonged to us," as they had lost their previous record a year prior.
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The Replacement: The "Kissing Marathon"
Because Guinness realized that humans are stubborn and will keep trying to break records even if it kills them, they changed the format.
They introduced the Longest Kissing Marathon.
The difference is huge. In a "marathon," you get rest breaks. For every hour of continuous kissing, you earn five minutes of rest. You can stack these up. If you kiss for 12 hours straight, you can take a full hour to sleep, eat a burger, and—thankfully—brush your teeth.
As of 2026, there isn't even an official record holder for this new version. It's wide open. But the original, "no-break" world guinness record for longest kiss remains frozen in time at 58 hours.
A Bittersweet Ending for the Champions
Here is the kicker that most people don't know. The Tiranarats, the couple who went through that literal hell together twice, aren't even together anymore.
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In early 2025, Ekkachai confirmed on a BBC podcast that they had separated. It’s kinda sad when you think about it. They spent more time kissing in one go than most couples do in a year, and yet, life happens. He mentioned he's still proud of what they did, calling it a "once-in-a-lifetime experience."
He's probably right. It’s unlikely anyone will ever be allowed to attempt that specific, grueling version of the record ever again.
Actionable Takeaways for Aspiring Record Breakers
If you're dead set on getting your name in the book, don't try the "no-break" method. It’s not recognized and it’s dangerous. Instead:
- Check the Marathon Rules: Look up the "Longest Kissing Marathon" on the Guinness website. Those five-minute breaks are the only thing keeping you from a hospital bed.
- Training is Real: The Tiranarats actually "trained" for their attempt. They practiced standing for long periods and managing thirst.
- Mind the Hygiene: Seriously. After 10 hours, breath becomes a weapon. If you're doing the marathon version, use those rest breaks for mouthwash.
- Mental Fortitude: The biggest hurdle isn't your lips; it's your brain. Sleep deprivation causes the body to shut down in ways you can't control with willpower alone.
The world guinness record for longest kiss is a fascinating relic of an era when the "books" were a bit more reckless. Today, it stands as a testament to human endurance—and maybe a little bit of human insanity.
To break a record now, you need to be smart, not just stubborn. Pick a category that doesn't require a referee to watch you in the bathroom.