PATTAYA - Twenty-six couples hugged each other for 26 hours, 26 minutes and 26 seconds in Pattaya, setting a world record on Valentine's Day.
Ekachai and Lakasana Tiranarath, one of 26 winning couples, celebrate after setting the world hugging record in Pattaya. (AP Photo)
The world's longest hugging marathon, organised by Ripley's Believe It or Not! museum in Pattaya, beat the previous Guinness world record.
The earlier record was set in Britain by Sanderson Jones and Mikey Lear who hugged for 25 hours, 22 minutes and 36 seconds in March, organisers said.
Thirty-two couples joined the Pattaya contest, but the 300,000-baht prize will be divided among the 26 couples who completed it.
Rules for the competition that started Thursday were that the hugs had to be continuous -- with both arms wrapped round each other at all times.
The contestants were allowed five-minute rest breaks every hour, in keeping with Guinness requirements.