To celebrate Valentine's Day, thirty-one couples in Thailand took part in a hugging marathon in the hope of breaking the Guinness world record.

The people in Pattaya were trying to bypass the current record which stands at exactly 25 hours 22 minutes and 36 seconds. The contestants need to hug their partner continuously with both arms at all times without letting them drop.

34-year old Nonthawat Charoenkasetsin admitted it was a challenge.

"This contest might be more difficult. It's different from the kissing contest because we cannot move. We still have free movement for the kissing contest."

Toursits as well as Thais are taking part. Russian tourist Darya Ckuneva explained why she was hugging it out with her partner.

"We think to take part in this competition is very interesting. We have never done this before."

For the winners there's a cash prize and two diamond rings worth around 350,000 baht, which is almost £6,5000.

Written and presented by Alfred Joyner

Thailand