Hua Hin: Thousands of Thai army cadets, university students and a handful of volunteers performed a record-breaking Muay Thai "wai khru" ceremony, all under the watchful eyes of six massive statues of former kings.
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The sunset gathering in Hua Hin, part of a Muay Thai Festival in the seaside resort town, broke the previous Guinness World Record of 250 by having 3,660 participants simultaneously performing the traditional pre-match dance of respect for their coach.
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The sun had baked the sheets of concrete hot as the barefoot performers - organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Royal Thai Army, and the culture and sport ministries - filed onto the parade ground at Rajabhakti Park in front of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha.
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Dressed in red uniforms with white Mongkhon headbands, as well as white Muay Kard Chuek ropes - the hemp wrappings fighters wore before gloves - the phalanx of men moved in near perfect unison to the directions of famed Muay Thai fighter Sombat "Buakaw" Banchamek.
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"Congratulations, you're officially amazing," said the official Guinness adjudicator, confirming the record had been broken.
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"I feel really proud," said 27-year-old performer Phukrit Purimchaithanat, adding he and his fellow-cadets were glad they had pulled it off after months of preparations.
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A mix of bemused locals and tourists passing through the popular resort watched the spectacle from a few rickety metal bleachers, gathering around the sides of the fenced area as a loudspeaker blared.
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"It's stunning, it's crazy, also in front of the kings and everything," said Hua Hin resident Siena Cruz, 32, as she enjoyed the show with friends.
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"The visual is something connected to the tradition," she said, noting how integral the pre-match ritual was to the sport. "To be part of another bit of history for Thailand, it's bragging rights," she said of the Guinness record.
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"I like to watch, but boxing is scary," said June Rubyung, who had taken her grandson to watch the performance. The 50-year-old Hua Hin local, who lives close to the army grounds where they performed, said she knew the army cadets had been practising for a month. "I think they're good," she said, "they do it the correct way."
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Muay Thai fighters gather around after performing the traditional wai khru ceremony.
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Fireworks explode during celebration, after Muay Thai boxers set a Guinness World Record by performing wai khru.
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