This is the heart-stopping moment a girl was kicked by an elephant while being carried under its belly for good luck in Thailand.

The two-year-old toddler and her siblings were being passed under the jumbo as part of a local superstition in Sa Kaeo province on January 5.

CCTV footage shows a mahout guiding the child beneath the initially calm pachyderm. However, the animal was spooked when the girl's hat fell near its leg.

The elephant kicked the mahout, who then rolled away still hugging the girl in her arms.

A male handler sitting on top of the elephant reigned in the startled animal before it could go on a rampage at the market.

Resident Amonrat Naaudom said: 'It was so scary. The people were almost trampled by the elephant right in front of my house.

'I'm not insulting anyone's beliefs, but I hope this serves as a warning to anyone who might want to try this good luck ritual. It is too dangerous.

'The elephant could have killed both of them and anyone else who was nearby.'

Passing under an elephant's belly is believed to bring good fortune in Buddhist beliefs. Those who successfully cross under the large creature are considered courageous and will attract good fortune.

Many parents perform the bizarre ritual with their children as a way of blessing them when they are one or two years old.

Police in Sa Kaeo province said they had not received any complaints about the incident.

Lieutenant Colonel Anothai Jindamanee said: 'There has not been any crimes committed as this is quite a common practice. The mother was doing it willingly with her daughter.'

Thailand has up to 4,000 elephants living in captivity. They work in zoos, tourist resorts or they are hired out for religious ceremonies. There are a similar number living in the widl.