Thailand's 'Luk Thep' doll fad causes mixed reactions amongst local businesses

SYDNEY: -- A new craze in Thailand involving life-like 'angel dolls' supposed to bring good fortune to their owners is being embraced by some businesses, while others have questioned the psychological effects of the fad.

The dolls, referred to in Thailand as Luk Thep, are reported to cost up to 21,600 baht (over $850) and have similarities to the long-standing Thai tradition of Kuman Thong, which involves "black magic".

Superstitious consumers have embraced the latest doll obsession after a local celebrity reportedly praised the doll for its ability to bring their owners good luck.

One Thai business that jumped on the bandwagon was restaurant Neta Grill, which stated in a post on Facebook that the dolls were welcome to sit with their owners.

Full story: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-28/thailand's-'luk-thep'-dolls-fad-has-mixed-reactions/7120766

-- ABC news 2016-01-28

"One Thai business that jumped on the bandwagon was restaurant Neta Grill, which stated in a post on Facebook that the dolls were welcome to sit with their owners."

And be served plastic rice.

The dolls are cute. They are funny. You can spend money yet it's not strictly 'bling'. The dolls are for entertainment. And that's about it. Nothing much else involved. Nothing at all. Same as children. I won't use the T word, that would be going a bit too far. But these are just dolls. So it's cool.

Edited January 28, 201610 yr by maewang99

I wonder how a child (real) feels when their real mother starts cooing over a doll.

I think the dolls are cool too. Very easy to instantly recognize and avoid idiots, better than any tattoo.

The privileged world of Thailand's supernatural dolls

LONDON: -- A craze for eerily lifelike supernatural dolls has swept Thailand in recent months.

Their name, "luk thep", literally translates as "child angels" and people believe they bring good fortune and they are pampered by their owners as if they were children.

But the privileges lavished upon them have also drawn a backlash and warnings from Thai authorities.

Full story: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35416537


-- BBC 2016-01-28

I think the dolls are cool too. Very easy to instantly recognize and avoid idiots, better than any tattoo.

? definitely useful in identifying those who are mental and giving them a wide berth...

I have just been talking to a student and she swore she would never buy one.

"Great", I thought. At least she is normal.

Then she gave me the reason.

What would she do when she was tired of taking care of it? She couldn't just throw it away and leave the angel or soul to take care of itself!!!

I wonder how a child (real) feels when their real mother starts cooing over a doll.

I would hope that they are a surrogate for those who don't have children...

Child Angels now face entry ban by resort and hotel operators



BANGKOK: -- As the "child angel" fever is spreading fast and several business operators offering discounts for customers coming with their "children", but several hotel and resort operators are putting signs banning these superstitious dolls as they fear they may scare away their guests.

An executive of China Town resort hotel in Phayao province is one of several resorts to reject child angels.

A banner was displayed stating clearly that child angels are not welcomed.

She explained that the supernatural dolls might frighten guests who come with their kids or even the guests themselves.

So this was reason that the hotel will ban guests booked in with their superstitious dolls.

Asked how she could differentiate between normal and superstitious dolls, she said superstitious dolls have their foreheads or bodies anointed with strange characters.

She said she would also reserve the right to ask if they bring along the dolls or not.

Other food shops also forbid child angels with same reason.

Yesterday the Civil Authority of Thailand and representatives of airlines agreed that child angel is just baggage and is not allowed to have same status as a passenger in seating.

It could be placed on plane seat but must be put underneath or overhead compartment during takeoff and landing, they agreed after a meeting to discuss the issue so all will practise in the same line, According to Bangkok Post.

Acting CAAT director Chula Sukmanop said that the dolls were considered hand baggage, so they must be placed under the seat in front of passengers or in overhead bins during takeoff and landing.

He said owners would be allowed to place their dolls in seats, but they would have to buy additional tickets under the human passengers’ names, he said.

Flyers who did not want to sit next to the dolls could have their seat reassigned, he said.

Travellers are allowed to carry on dolls, as that did not violate any International Civil Aviation Organisation safety rules, as long as they are classified as carry-on baggage, Mr Chula said.

The dolls must be screened and x-rayed before being brought aboard an aircraft. Anyone disagreeing with that procedure would not be allowed to bring their dolls on board, he said.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/148554

-- Thai PBS 2016-01-28

Child Angels now face entry ban by resort and hotel operators

BANGKOK: -- As the "child angel" fever is spreading fast and several business operators offering discounts for customers coming with their "children", but several hotel and resort operators are putting signs banning these superstitious dolls as they fear they may scare away their guests.

An executive of China Town resort hotel in Phayao province is one of several resorts to reject child angels.

A banner was displayed stating clearly that child angels are not welcomed.

She explained that the supernatural dolls might frighten guests who come with their kids or even the guests themselves.

So this was reason that the hotel will ban guests booked in with their superstitious dolls.

Asked how she could differentiate between normal and superstitious dolls, she said superstitious dolls have their foreheads or bodies anointed with strange characters.

She said she would also reserve the right to ask if they bring along the dolls or not.

Other food shops also forbid child angels with same reason.

Yesterday the Civil Authority of Thailand and representatives of airlines agreed that child angel is just baggage and is not allowed to have same status as a passenger in seating.

It could be placed on plane seat but must be put underneath or overhead compartment during takeoff and landing, they agreed after a meeting to discuss the issue so all will practise in the same line, According to Bangkok Post.

Acting CAAT director Chula Sukmanop said that the dolls were considered hand baggage, so they must be placed under the seat in front of passengers or in overhead bins during takeoff and landing.

He said owners would be allowed to place their dolls in seats, but they would have to buy additional tickets under the human passengers’ names, he said.

Flyers who did not want to sit next to the dolls could have their seat reassigned, he said.

Travellers are allowed to carry on dolls, as that did not violate any International Civil Aviation Organisation safety rules, as long as they are classified as carry-on baggage, Mr Chula said.

The dolls must be screened and x-rayed before being brought aboard an aircraft. Anyone disagreeing with that procedure would not be allowed to bring their dolls on board, he said.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/148554

-- Thai PBS 2016-01-28

Glad to see somebody has the good sense to elevate/downgrade Luk Thep dolls to the level of a durian.

I think the dolls are cool too. Very easy to instantly recognize and avoid idiots, better than any tattoo.

So you must be very smart..

Edited January 28, 201610 yr by Jonster

'Luk Thep' ... meet your nemesis:

Honestly, sometimes you just have to wonder how some folk make it through the day.

I wonder how much the doll company paid the celebrity to promote this doll? Brilliant marketing.

Superstition driven by orange robed business men!

Bunch of weirdos if you ask me.

I wonder how a child (real) feels when their real mother starts cooing over a doll.

Maybe some sons will see that the doll does not deserve the praise they get, anymore than some sons do.

I'd rather get dengue fever than Child Angel fever. At least it would mean my brain was OK.

waiting for the first one to be kidnapped, how much ransom???

waiting for the first one to be kidnapped, how much ransom???

a dolls hand through the post.

What can the uncle or step father be charged with when they are found touching up or doing the dirty deed on the plastic kid?

Another post in bold font has been removed, if you continue to use bold font, your posts will simply disappear:

Forum Netiquette

1. Please do not post in all capital letters, bold, unusual fonts, sizes or colors. It can be difficult to read.

Dolls are plain weird and creepy. Each to their own. I have a stuffed pet animal fetish, off to pat the pussy and watch TV.

Superstition driven by orange robed business men!

I hope you realize that making fun of monks brings bad luck. Then again you wouldn't believe anyway. Be aware of it just in case.

What can the uncle or step father be charged with when they are found touching up or doing the dirty deed on the plastic kid?

This say a lot about your sick mind.

The dolls are cute. They are funny. You can spend money yet it's not strictly 'bling'. The dolls are for entertainment. And that's about it. Nothing much else involved. Nothing at all. Same as children. I won't use the T word, that would be going a bit too far. But these are just dolls. So it's cool.

Obviously you have one or two......

Edited January 28, 201610 yr by ChrisY1

So a celebrity endorses a doll and the Thais in their childish minds go gaga for it.

Hate to know what would happen if a celebrity endorsed suicide.

The dolls are cute. They are funny. You can spend money yet it's not strictly 'bling'. The dolls are for entertainment. And that's about it. Nothing much else involved. Nothing at all. Same as children. I won't use the T word, that would be going a bit too far. But these are just dolls. So it's cool.

Obviously you have one or two......

"…Same as children…"? <deleted> do you mean? The owners are the same as children or the dolls are the same as children? I think the former.

If taking these dolls into a restaurant or booking an extra bed for accommodation means extra money I don't think to many would be objecting !

What can the uncle or step father be charged with when they are found touching up or doing the dirty deed on the plastic kid?

In search of rubber...