FIVE-YEAR-OLD Thai twins were forced to marry because their Buddhist family believe they were lovers in a past life.

The boy and his sister were married at their home in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand on March 4.

Their devoutly religious parents follow Buddhist teachings that claims twins are born together due to a previous connection from a past life.

They believe the pair share 'karma' because they were once lovers whose relationship ended before they married.

The 31-year-old father and 30-year-old mother insisted that if twins are not married at the earliest opportunity, their lives will be haunted by bad luck from their previous romance.

Friends and family attended the wedding ceremony, which featured a Buddhist monk chanting blessings during the abnormal nuptials.

It was followed by traditional Thai celebrations with music, parades, and dancing.

Relatives even offered up a dowry for the child-couple, in line with the culture's customs.

Their proud father explained, "We believe that if your children were born twins who have a different gender, they must be married or else one of them will fall ill later in their lives.

"We are only doing this to make sure our children are safe. We do not want them to be sick and there is nothing to lose if we follow this belief."

He described the generational impact of the unorthodox marriage, suggesting the twins have to fulfil their marital destiny so that their future children can grow up healthy.

"I feel so lucky to have twins but I'm concerned that there is something following them from their previous lives," their mother added. "Our belief is that they should be married in order to clear that karma."

Despite the extravagent wedding, the twin's marriage is not legally valid and was only orchestrated for ceremonial purposes.

Thailand has the second largest Buddhist population in the world and the religion has remained a significant influence over the country's culture and society.

Buddhism teaches its followers not to fear death, as those who live well will be rebirthed.

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