A man with a Friday let me hug you sign at the Jonker Street market in Malacca, Malaysia

A man with a Friday let me hug you sign at the Jonker Street market in Malacca, Malaysia in August 2017

Staff celebrating the opening of Home Pro in the Terminal 21 shopping centre in Korat, Thailand. A little girl hugging a giant teddy bear!

Staff celebrating the opening of Home Pro in the Terminal 21 shopping centre in Korat, Thailand in August 2017. A little girl hugging a giant teddy bear!

Man offering Free Hugs in Civic, Canberra

Man offering Free Hugs in Civic, Canberra in May 2013

Couple making out in Sydney

Couple making out in Sydney in September 2013

Chinese couple

A couple at the Sculpture by the Sea Festival in Sydney in November 2013

Free hugs

A woman with a free hugs for everyone singlet in Melbourne in October 2012

Gorilla cuddle

Girl with a Gorilla doll in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia in January 2012

The embrace

Young couple kissing in Martin Place in Sydney, October 2011

Nude women

Painting in a gallery at Ao Nang, Krabi, in March 2010

Free hugs

Man offering a free hug at the night bazaar in Chiang Rai, Thailand in December 2009.

Hugs

Couple figurines for sale at the night bazaar at Lumpini Park in Bangkok, Thailand, December 2009