It’s time to board the plane.
You cross your fingers, hoping you’re not going to be seated next to a child.
No such luck.
But this is no ordinary kid.
She doesn’t cry, move or kick seats.
That’s because she’s actually a Luk Thep — or supernatural “angel child” doll.
Sounds too bizarre to be true?
Not if you’re boarding a flight in Thailand.
The lifelike dolls have become so popular that regional carrier Thai Smile Airways, a subsidiary of Thailand’s flag carrier Thai Airways, recently instructed its staff to allow passengers to purchase a seat for their Luk Thep dolls.
Spirit dolls
Luk Thep are believed to possess a child’s spirit and bring good fortune, thus many Thais have taken to treating them like real kids.
The internal memo, being circulated among Thai media, says the dolls have to be buckled up like human passengers and will be served snacks and drinks.
As with real children, they’re barred from sitting in exit rows.
Don’t have a ticket for your doll?
It’ll be treated as carry-on luggage and stowed during takeoff and landing.
Safety concerns
According to a report in the Bangkok Post, the airline said more than 40 passengers have brought Luk Thep dolls onboard over the past two or three months and the new guideline is needed for cabin crew to safely deal with them.
“Some customers were unhappy when cabin crew members put their dolls in overhead compartments or under the seats,” said the report.
Thailand’s Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) has taken notice of the issue, and is now reportedly discussing the matter with local aviation agencies and airlines to formulate a policy that complies with security regulations.
Other local airlines were unwilling to comment on the issue to CNN, though AirAsia said it has no policy in place regarding Luk Thep dolls.
Turns out the DCA’s security fears may have some merit.
On Tuesday morning, police at Chiang Mai Airport reportedly intercepted a Luk Thep inside a black suitcase that was being used as a drug mule.
Underneath that sweet exterior police say they found 200 tablets of yaba — a methamphetamine-based drug produced in Thailand.
Popular trend started with Thai celebrities
Why do people believe the dolls are possessed by a child’s spirit?
The creator of the Luk Thep dolls claims to perform a ceremony in which she calls upon a Hindu goddess to create a spirit for each doll.
They became popular when local celebrities started posting on social media about the impact the dolls have had on their lives.
Today, owners frequently share photos of winning lottery tickets, attributing their luck to the dolls, which range in size from 10 to 22 inches in height.
Prices start from 3,500 baht ($97) but can go up as high as 13,000 baht ($362) for the limited edition dolls imported from the United States.
