Thailand Gets The Loudest Laugh In World Competition

[george]

Who's Got The Best Laugh

PATTAYA: -- Laughter is the best medicine and in Thailand, it’s also one good way to earn money.

At a time when political tension was brewing in Bangkok over Thailand’s prime minister’s comment on a possible military intervention in the country, some people in Pattaya, a Thai beach resort city, were laughing.

They were rolling on the floor, dancing all around, making faces and indulging in raucous antics.

Their laughter was so infectious, even a crowd of about 200 that had gathered on the ground floor of the Royal Garden Plaza could not keep themselves from going with the flow. As a result the entire floor of the shopping complex was echoing with sounds of ‘ha-ha’ and ‘he-he’.

"The intensity of her laughter measured 110 decibels."

This happened at the finals of Ripley’s International Laughing Contest held on July 5 in Pattaya. The competition, the first of its kind held in Thailand, was organised by Ripley’s World of Entertainment Pattaya. A total of 23 contestants from all over the world—Thailand, Liberia, England, Sweden, Czech Republic, Israel, France, Belgium, Ireland, Italy, Holland, and the US—had participated in the competition. All of them had one goal: to laugh their way to a 100,000 -baht (US$2,970) prize money.

According to Somporn Saksuetrong, general manager of Ripley’s World Pattaya, the criteria for winning the competition was the same as that laid out by Ripley’s world headquarters in the US. “The winners will be determined based on logarithmic unit of sound intensity in decibels, duration of time they laughed, style and quality of laughter and the infectiousness of the laugh,” he said.

To lay hands on the cash prize, one contestant laughed continuously for 12 and half minutes. Another laughed for almost 11 and half minutes and another for 10 minutes. All of the contestants, clad in unique national costumes, climbed on stage and laughed unabated.

"I think she will die when she stops laughing. She laughed for over nine minutes and she is still laughing. It is unbelievable!" a foreign audience said referring to one of the participants.

During the two-hour-long programme, the participants also delivered unique packages of laughter. A Liberian spilled his African tribal laugh; an Englishman his aristocratic laugh; a Swedish his serious laugh; and Thais their carefree laugh.

In the end, it was Jattarat Wongsomboon of Thailand who ‘out-laughed’ all of them.

The 55-year-old teacher laughed nonstop for 12.26 minutes and took home 100,000 baht. The intensity of her laughter measured 110 decibels.

Kowit Sripong, 32, first runner-up , went home with 10,000-baht ($297). He spent 11.26 minutes laughing onstage and his laughter hit 112.2 decibels. He also bagged the Outstanding National Costume Award, which included a 5,000 baht ($148) cash prize.

Winners were also awarded with the Ripley’s privilege gold card entitling them to free entrance to Ripley’s Museums around the world for a year.

If you can also laugh for a prolonged period of time—without cracking jokes, making humorous verbal attacks or making fun of people—try your luck next time. Ripley’s World of Entertainment Pattaya will host the event again next year.

-- ANN/ AsiaNews 2008-07-28

[Martin]

Not an OP that had me ROFL.

[brahmburgers]

I'm glad I missed that event.

[Payboy]

in Pattaya

says it all....

[Chaimai]

<deleted> was THAT all about ?

And 200 people were they to watch it ? They should definately stay in more.

[JayBangkok]

At last - something they can make a hub for: The laughing stock of the World

[Gravelrash]

Just a light story amoung the usual doom and gloom, I am failing to share the negative connotations raised.

[TAWP]

The cynics say: 23 contenders from many different countries and everyone receiving money, winner, runner up and organizers, are Thai. No wonder they laughed so much.

Edited July 29, 2008 by TAWP

[galowgala]

Just a light story amoung the usual doom and gloom, I am failing to share the negative connotations raised.

i totally agree with you whats the problem, the place and the forum is full of doom and gloom people, they are sooooooooooooo boring perhaps ul get banned 4 disagreeing with them

[Scott]

What would be funny would be to put 20 people on the road and see who is the best driver!

[anthos]

[Slip]

Just a light story amoung the usual doom and gloom, I am failing to share the negative connotations raised.

i totally agree with you whats the problem, the place and the forum is full of doom and gloom people, they are sooooooooooooo boring perhaps ul get banned 4 disagreeing with them

Not really. I think what people are trying to say is this topic is just booooring. The story may be light but it's just pointless. Ripleys' believe it or not? So what? It's a business trying to flog it's crap product. Who cares?

I make no comment on the fact that it's reported but once TV becomes some marketing idiot's tool we're all in trouble.

If you want to be inane that's up to you but please stop wasting our time.

[samuiseagull]

I've just wet myself. But that's another story!!!

[t.s]

I've just wet myself. But that's another story!!!

very poorly written and posted unedited. crap.