Nam Peung (right) also known as Honey, and his 15-year-old bride Plai Nga Thong (Golden Tusk)

Afterwards, their mahouts (keepers) and local officials helped all four mark trunk prints on giant marriage certificates before posing in front of temple ruins for the official wedding photographs.

All four left in trucks for the Ayutthaya Elephant Shelter, about 70km (44 miles) north of Bangkok.

An American volunteer at the shelter, Brian Clarke, said: "They'll retire to the honeymoon suite, which is in a quiet corner of the Royal Elephant Corral."

Declining population

He said the event was intended to raise awareness of Thailand's national animal.

The elephant population in Thailand has been falling in recent decades as their use as beasts of burden has declined.

The male elephants were brought to the shelter from nearby Pattaya last week to mate with the females who were both on heat.

"They've hit it off," said Mr Clarke. "If everybody isn't too tired perhaps there will be a consummation tonight."