Luk thep 'angel child' dolls

In late 2015 and early 2016 a craze for luk thep, lifelike dolls believed to house a child spirit that brings luck, swept Thailand; in January 2016 Thai Smile airways let owners buy the dolls their own seats.

2016 CE · 13.75, 100.50 · status: official

The account

Owners fed, dressed and talked to the dolls, which are blessed by monks or spirit practitioners. Civil aviation officials soon discussed rules, and in January 2016 police at Chiang Mai airport seized a child doll stuffed with 200 methamphetamine pills.

Connections in the atlas

• Phi Pop

Sources

1. CNN: Thai Smile Airways luk thep dolls
2. Irish Times: airline to sell seats to dolls