Thai couple sets kissing record

One determined Thai couple locked lips for 46 hours, 24 minutes and nine seconds to celebrate Valentine's Day in Pattaya, Thailand, emerging victorious and exhausted after a landmark "kissathon" that organizers claim marked the longest recorded smooch in history, AP reports.

The previous record of just over 32 hours was set in 2009 by a couple in Germany, according to Guinness World Records, whose officials will have to verify the latest milestone for it to become official.

The winner was announced before dawn Tuesday: a Thai couple from Bangkok named Ekkachai and Laksana Tiranarat.

The pair won a diamond ring worth 50,000 Thai Baht (1,606 dollars), and a 100,000 Baht (3,213 dollar) cash prize.

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