BANGKOK (AP) – Mix one part superstition, two parts fashion, a dab of celebrity idolatry and a heap of media frenzy, and what do you get?
The “child angel” dolls, the latest craze in Thailand. They occupy a niche somewhere between Buddhist amulets, beloved by gamblers, gangsters and policemen for their reputed magical protective powers, and Furby dolls, adored by children for their cuteness.
They will, their adult owners affirm, bring you good luck, especially if you treat them like your own living progeny, taking them along on trips, treating them to meals and praying together at the temple.
While “luk thep” dolls, as they are known in Thai, have previously drawn only mild notice beyond the circle of their devoted collectors, they dominated the news this past week after a leaked memo from budget airline Thai Smile instructed staff to treat the dolls as if they were human passengers – provided, of course, their seats were paid for.
The airline took note of the creepiness factor, suggesting the dolls best be seated as much as possible out of the sight of other passengers.