Non-stop singer sets world record

PHUKET TOWN: He sang for his supper. He sang for his breakfast. He sang for his lunch. And Issarakul “DJ Dedduang” Thamangraksat eventually sang his way into the record books in a 24-hour marathon that ended today at the Royal Phuket City Hotel. The 28-year-old has earned a place in Ripley’s Believe it Or Not! by singing almost 500 songs (about 20 songs an hour) non-stop, even when he went to the toilet. He visited the restroom 26 times, wearing special underwear that he could easily unzip while holding a microphone in one hand. He ate as best he could, while still singing. DJ Dedduang warbled his first song at 9 am on Sunday and croaked through his last at 9 am this morning. Fifteen bands with 100 musicians helped play live music. He said afterwards, “I am very happy because my dream has come true. Before yesterday I was only 90% confident, but lots of people came to support me, even in the middle of the night.” Money from sponsors will go towards construction of a Phuket office for the Royal Music Association of Thailand. He had the support of the association, the Phuket District Municipality, the Voice of the Third Naval Area Command radio station, and the Rajabhat Institute Phuket. The event was overseen by 10 delegates from Ripley’s and the association.