Guinness World Records has decided to stop allowing attempts for the world’s longest kiss, and the reason might surprise you.

Some Guinness World Records are bizarre. Credit: Maja Hitij/Getty

Childhood Memories and Bizarre Records

If you’re like me, your childhood Christmases involved getting the latest Guinness World Records book. Some records are so strange that it seems no one would ever try them. However, some records are no longer allowed due to health risks.

The Longest Kiss Record

I’m not talking about the highest skydive, longest breath-hold, or most time spent on fire. I’m talking about the longest kiss.

In 2013, Ekkachai and Laksana Tiranarat from Thailand set the record for the longest kiss, locking lips for an incredible 58 hours and 35 minutes.

Would you be able to kiss someone for 58 hours? Credit: Willie B. Thomas/Getty

This happened during a competition organized by Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in Pattaya, Thailand.

The Challenge and Its Guidelines

The challenge had strict rules:

The kiss had to be continuous, with lips touching at all times.
Couples could drink liquids through a straw, but lips could not part.
Participants had to remain standing, unaided, and could not take rest breaks.
Contestants could visit the restroom but had to keep kissing under the watchful eye of a referee.
Wearing adult diapers or incontinence pads was not allowed.

These tough rules made the contest as exhausting as it was romantic.

The 2013 Event

The 2013 event began on February 12 with nine couples, including one duo in their 70s. However, the elderly pair dropped out after an hour and 38 minutes when the husband struggled to remain standing.

Ekkachai and Laksana persevered, earning the grand prize of 100,000 Thai Baht (approximately $2,967) and two diamond rings valued at the same amount. Their dedication set a record that seemed unbeatable.

Health Risks and Retirement of the Category

Despite the romance and spectacle, Guinness retired the category due to health risks associated with extreme sleep deprivation. Contestants in past events had suffered dangerous side effects, including hallucinations, muscle cramps, and even the need for medical help.

In 1999, record-holders Karmit Tzubera and Dror Orpaz nearly fainted after their 30-hour, 45-minute kiss. They were rushed to the hospital, suffering from exhaustion. Similarly, in 2004, another contestant experienced severe muscle cramps and needed oxygen after 31 hours and 18 minutes of kissing.

The Longest Kissing Marathon

While the World’s Longest Kiss is no longer recognized, romantics still have the option to attempt the longest kissing marathon. This record allows for rest breaks, making it a safer way to pursue recognition for public displays of affection.

Honestly, spending 58 hours locked in a kiss doesn’t seem like a lot of fun anyway.