Thai Airways allows passengers to buy seat for haunted spirit dolls

@scheng1 (24649)
Singapore
January 26, 2016 6:47am CST
I sure hope that this trend of bringing haunted spirit dolls is not going to be a fad worldwide. It is certainly getting quite ridiculous in Thailand. Haunted Spirit Dolls, known as Luk Thep, supposedly bring good luck to their owners. Their owners view Luk Thep as their ghost children, and treat them as if they are the real children. Thai Airways, the national carrier, has allowed the owners to buy a separate seat for their ghost children. The cabin crew will serve food and drinks to the haunted dolls as if serving to real children. Personally I respect their culture of having ghost children, but I feel that to bring the haunted dolls to public places, such as restaurants, and planes, is a bit too much. There are people of other religions in the public places. It is just as important to respect others for their beliefs.
Thailand swept by craze for pampering infant-sized “child’s angel” dolls that are believed to bring good fortune, wealth and health
10 people like this
10 responses
paigea
@paigea (36143)
• Canada
27 Jan 16
It sounds like a strange custom to me. But if they pay for a seat I don't see how it affects any one else.
1 person likes this
scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
27 Jan 16
If you are sitting next to the haunted doll, you probably will feel creepy. You probably cannot tolerate the owner talking to the doll as if to a child, and to see the air stewardess serving drinks and food to it.
1 person likes this
paigea
@paigea (36143)
• Canada
27 Jan 16
@scheng1 I would find that quite strange and odd, but it would not make me feel creepy. To each their own.
Oshy
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
26 Jan 16
My first thought that the airlines want the seat paid for no matter what or who is sitting in it. Of course, they are filling seats up and making money, but yes, I agree, it may be a bit spooky for those who are not familiar with the practice. It would not bother me to sit next to it, for some people I would find much scarier than a harmless doll. lolz
1 person likes this
scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
27 Jan 16
The problem is that these are not harmless dolls. The dolls sure look harmless enough, but you have to remember that these dolls undergo white magic ceremony to have the spirits inside.
1 person likes this
Oshy
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
27 Jan 16
@scheng1 Yes I understand what you say Scheng, but that applies only to those who believe it.
youless
@youless (114117)
• Guangzhou, China
1 Feb 16
I don't believe the haunted spirit dolls. I think it is like others buy airplane tickets for their musical instruments. However, if other passengers know that the seats are for haunted spirit dolls, they may think differently. Perhaps some of them will feel worried about it or even scared of it.
1 person likes this
scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
1 Feb 16
It is not a matter of belief. If the haunted doll is real, then the passengers in the same flight will feel something wrong. Perhaps they will sense a presence or their hair will stand.
1 person likes this
wiLLmaH
@wiLLmaH (8801)
• Singapore, Singapore
26 Jan 16
I know we need to respect for their beliefs but this is scary for me.
1 person likes this
scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
26 Jan 16
I sure do not want to sit next to the ghost child.
1 person likes this
wiLLmaH
@wiLLmaH (8801)
• Singapore, Singapore
27 Jan 16
@scheng1 I hope they have a special seats for those.
Jabo
@jaboUK (64346)
• United Kingdom
26 Jan 16
Just one word comes to mind - ridiculous.
1 person likes this
scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
26 Jan 16
It is an interesting culture, but this is too much. I think most of us practice our religion at home or in places of worship, and that does not usually bring discomfort to others.
1 person likes this
Jabo
@jaboUK (64346)
• United Kingdom
26 Jan 16
@scheng1 That's right, people are free to do what they want (within reason) as long as they don't make themselves a nuisance to others.
Anne Johnston
@AnneEJ (4917)
• Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Quebec
26 Jan 16
That sounds like a really strange custom, and it is hard to understand why the Airline would allow it.
1 person likes this
scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
27 Jan 16
I think the senior management is mainly Thais, and in Thailand, white magic is very prevalent. It is a part of their culture, and very charming to tourists to see a country so deeply ingrained in spirits worship.
Porcospino
@Porcospino (31365)
• Denmark
26 Jan 16
There are many different cultures around the world and they all have different traditions, but I haven't heard of haunted spirit dolls. It seems a bit bizarre to me, but some people believe in those things and I respect that. I think that many people wouldn't like to sit next to the dolls during a flight, and if I were part of the cabin crew I would find it hard to serve food for the dolls and treat them as real children.
1 person likes this
scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
27 Jan 16
The cabin crew probably has their own spirit dolls at home. It is part of their culture, and they can understand respect that, but very bizarre for international travelers. Thai airway is not a regional airline. It is an international airline like Singapore Airlines or British Airlines.
Shavkat
@Shavkat (141905)
• Philippines
26 Jan 16
That sounds interesting! I would love to see these spirit dolls. What does it look like? Does it look like so spooky?
1 person likes this
scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
27 Jan 16
Not really. In fact, they look very cute and sweet. You can check the news online. These dolls are made as normal dolls, but they use white magic to bring the spirit of children to live in the dolls.
amnabas
@amnabas (14877)
• Karachi, Pakistan
26 Jan 16
How strange. How could they keep these believes.?
1 person likes this
scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
26 Jan 16
I think it is good to keep the beliefs as part of their culture. No matter how advance a country is, the people must not forget their roots. Have faith in spirits is good, because they will not get too arrogant and think that they can get away with doing bad things.
Morley Hunt
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
26 Jan 16
If they can afford to spend money for that, it is their choice. I personally find it bizarre.
1 person likes this
scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
26 Jan 16
That is what I mean about considering other passengers. You surely do not want to take the seat next to the haunted doll, and sees the owner talking to the doll as if taking to a real child. I think you will get freak out.
1 person likes this