Two five-year-old twins were married in a bizarre Thai wedding ritual as their superstitious parents believed they 'were lovers in a past life'.

Ronald Chalermwat and his twin sister Chalina Pranchat were wed at their home in Samut Prakan, Thailand, on November 24.

Their Thai mother, Rungkarn, who is married to Dutch husband Ronald Hendrik de Korte, said the unusual rite was performed according to Thai beliefs that twins of opposite genders 'were star-crossed lovers in their past lives'.

They are wed as soon as possible 'to ward off bad karma that may have followed them in this life'.

In line with tradition, there were offerings of food, banana and sugarcane trees, money, and jewellery, along with a festive party and parade. During the wedding, the toddlers exchanged rings, with the groom presenting his bride 200,000 THB and 20 baht in gold.

Rungkarn said: 'The event is organised according to ancient beliefs in Thailand. The wedding was arranged for both of them to live happy lives happy and to grow up intelligent and fulfilled.

'Mothers who also want twins should take good care of their bodies from the early stages of pregnancy.'

She added that believing in the wedding ceremony 'was a matter of individual belief'.

Though locals still participate in the strange custom, the marriage is not legally binding and is only done for ceremonial purposes.