A superstitious Buddhist devotee wears a massive beehive hairstyle to honour a snake god.

Samlee Ritthisen, 53, sports the Marge Simpson-style tower of matted hair as part of a vow she made to the benevolent deity called Phaya Naga - a divine serpent which locals believe resides in the Mekong River.

The villager, from Bueng Malu Village in Sisaket Province, northeast Thailand, claimed she had once cut her hair before suffering an inexplicable fever that almost claimed her life.

As no modern medicine could cure her illness, the desperate local sought help from a village shaman, who then warned her to never trim her locks again.

Samlee said: 'I followed the shaman's advice and became a disciple at the Wat Pa Kud Saming temple. I became a devotee of the Phaya Naga.

'Since then, I have lived a normal life doing household chores and farming rice. I don't fall ill as long as I refrain from cutting my hair.'

Residents have dubbed her 'Aunt Samlee with the Phaya Naga hairstyle' in reference to her long, uncut hair, which she believes shields her from misfortune.

Samlee joined other worshippers in paying homage to the Naga gods in a colourful temple ceremony on March 19. Footage shows her preparing a spread of fruits and flowers to offer to the god she believes saved her life.

Devotees were later seen lighting incense, dancing, and performing prayers, expressing their reverence for the mystical serpent said to bring protection, prosperity, and good fortune to the villagers.