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 Thailand is predominantly Buddhist and has been modernizing
rapidly over the past two or three decades but many people are
highly superstitious, their Buddhist beliefs co-existing with
notions of animism, astrology and "black magic".
The plastic dolls, about the size of a real baby, are called "look
thep", or "child angel".
Devotees buy them in shops or online and invite benevolent spirits
to possess them, hoping they will bring good luck.
"The economy is bad right now. Everybody needs something to hold on
to," said Mananya Boonmee, 49, a doll owner and seller.
Mananya told Reuters her doll, called Nong Petch, or baby jewel, had
helped her win the lottery by telling her what numbers to buy in her
dreams.
Panpimon Wipulakorn, deputy director-general of the Department of
Mental Health, said the economic downturn exacerbated the
phenomenon.
 "There have always been groups in Thai society that hold such
beliefs and economic worries only help to heighten these beliefs,"
Panpimon told Reuters.
"These people do not have mental health problems."
Thailand has been ruled by a junta since a May 2014 coup and the
generals have struggled to revive the export-dependent economy,
while promising to restore democracy with an election next year.
Such fads have happened before. After a 2006 coup, many people
turned to plasticine amulets, or charms, in the belief they would
bring riches.
Devotees of the dolls lavish attention on them. "My life has
changed a lot, for the better," said beauty salon owner Natsuda
Jantabtim, 45, who has had her doll - Nong Ruay Jung, or baby so
rich, for eight months.
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"When I hug her, I know it's love. I tell her I love her all the
time."
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha weighed in on Monday saying people
who could not afford to buy the dolls should not do so.
"I've never raised a child angel doll," he quipped.
The dolls cost from 1,500 baht ($40) to up to 30,000 baht ($800) and
some businesses are tapping in on the craze.
Thai Smile, a subsidiary of national flag carrier Thai Airways, said
it would charge passengers who bring dolls on board and would serve
them snacks.
But the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand said it would stop
airlines selling tickets for dolls over concern they could be used
to smuggle drugs.
(Story corrects currency conversion in paragraph 17)
(Additional reporting by Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Panarat
Thepgumpanat; Writing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre; Editing by Robert
Birsel)
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