Thai airline to issue child tickets to 'spirit' dolls

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Devotees in Thailand are turning to life-like dolls thought to bring good luck, as the economy continues to struggle 20 months after a coup.
A Thai devotee feeding her child angel doll. Some Thais believe these dolls hold children's spirits, which bring good luck, wealth, blessing and protection from harm if they are well cared for.
A Thai devotee feeding her child angel doll. Some Thais believe these dolls hold children's spirits, which bring good luck, wealth, blessing and protection from harm if they are well cared for. PHOTO: EUROPEAN PRESSPHOTO AGENCY
Thai devotee Ratchada Mahanavanont having a meal with her Child Angels Dolls in Bangkok, Thailand, on Jan 24, 2016. PHOTO: EPA
Child Angels Dolls being offered food and drinks by their owner (unseen) in Bangkok, Thailand, on Jan 24, 2016. PHOTO: EPA
Thai devotee Ratchada Mahanavanont kissing her Child Angels Doll at her house in Bangkok, Thailand, on Jan 24, 2016. PHOTO: EPA
Thai devotees Ratchada Mahanavanont (right) kissing her Child Angels Dolls next to her friend, Nita Kangvanchaivanich, at a market in Bangkok, Thailand, on Jan 24, 2016. PHOTO: EPA
Three Thai devotees, Ratchada Mahanavanont (centre) talking to her friends Nipaporn Pornchaipimolpunt (left) and Nita Kangvanchaivanich (right), with their Child Angels dolls at a market in Bangkok, Thailand, on Jan 24, 2016. PHOTO: EPA
Thai devotee Ratchada Mahanavanont cradling her Child Angels Dolls at her house in Bangkok, Thailand, on Jan 24, 2016. PHOTO: EPA

BANGKOK • A Thai airline will allow passengers to purchase seats for life-like dolls that their owners treat as real children because of their belief that they possess supernatural powers.

Thai Smile Airways, which is a part of national carrier Thai Airways International, said in an internal memo that dolls with tickets will be served snacks and drinks, though they will be barred from sitting in exit rows. Owners who take dolls on the plane without tickets will have them treated as carry-on luggage.

The dolls known as "luk thep", or child angels, have become increasingly popular in Thailand after several celebrities extolled their benefits.

The dolls, which can sell for hundreds of dollars, are thought to possess the spirits of child angels and their owners pamper them with brand-name clothes and accessories because of the belief that a well-cared-for doll will bring good fortune.

The memo from Thai Smile explains to staff that the luk thep dolls can be treated like children because they have undergone a "spiritualisation" process that breathes life into them.

In addition to being barred from exit rows, the dolls must also buckle up during take off and landing.

A Bangkok buffet restaurant is also running a special for the dolls.

"In the past month, more than 30 customers have brought their luk thep to eat at Neta Grill," the restaurant said on its Facebook page on Sunday.

"Neta Grill is open to all worshippers and we're glad to serve luk thep at children's prices on the condition that all of the food ordered is consumed."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on January 26, 2016, with the headline Thai airline to issue child tickets to 'spirit' dolls. Subscribe