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Loudmouths gather for Thai screaming contest

Associated Press

In this image from television, Siripassorn Kum-ma, 26, screams during a screaming contest at the beach resort town of Pattaya, in southeastern Thailand Saturday. Short shrieks, high-pitched yelps, and drawn-out wails rang out in Thailand at an international competition aimed at setting a new record for the loudest scream.

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Associated Press

Published: August 2, 2009

THAILAND - Short shrieks, high-pitched yelps, and drawn-out wails rang out in Thailand at an international competition aimed at setting a new record for the loudest scream.

Russian Sergey Savelyev chimed in at 116.8 decibels - roughly as loud as an ambulance siren - to win Saturday's competition in the seaside town of Pattaya.

His effort fell short of breaking the 129-decibel Guinness World Record for the loudest scream set in 2000 in London.

"I was only getting warmed up," said 33-year-old Savelyev, who said he'll be back next year to compete in the competition hosted by Thailand's Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum.

The Russian, who walked away with a check for 30,000 baht (US$900), was one of 11 finalists from a field of 1,500 competitors.

Various strategies for revving up the vocal cords had contestants twisting their bodies and even throwing themselves on the ground.

"I just want to be a good actor," said Trirat Yongbreungsa, a part-time English teacher and beauty salon worker from Pattaya. "I screamed very loudly, but the acting was more fun."

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