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November 23, 2013

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Thai kids set human Xmas tree record

Christmas is not a holiday in predominantly Buddhist Thailand, and its palm trees outnumber pines, but the country still set a world record with its holiday spirit.

One of the country’s largest shopping malls arranged a publicity stunt involving 852 schoolchildren dressed in green and red hoodies to break the Guinness World Record for the largest human Christmas tree. They outdid a German record of 672 participants in 2011.

To the relief of parents, and the chagrin of a few teenagers, the children were not hoisted onto a human pyramid shaped like a conifer. It was more an exercise in crowd control, grouping the assembled six- to 15-year-olds into a tree-like formation on the ground.

“I kind of thought we’d get to stand on each other’s shoulders,” said Nattakit Liewkulnattana. Like most participants, he doesn’t celebrate Christmas. He wasn’t sure whose birthday the holiday marks (“Santa Claus?”) but was excited to take part in a world record, and maybe get something in return.

“I want presents!” the 13-year-old said. All participants got to keep their hoodies.

The record was set in 15 minutes, 29 seconds.

Guinness representative Fortuna Burke certified the feat, counting on a clicker as children filed onto an outdoor verandah at Siam Paragon mall. Once in place, the children waved as a drone flew overhead to capture aerial images.




 

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