A craze for lifelike dolls thought to bring good luck is sweeping Thailand, reflecting widespread anxiety as the economy struggles and political uncertainty persists nearly two years after a coup.

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 said 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.”

Thailand has been ruled by a junta since a May 2014 coup and the generals have struggled to revive the export-dependent economy. 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.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha weighed in saying people who could not afford to buy the dolls should not do so.

The dolls cost from 1,500 baht to up to 30,000 baht and some businesses are tapping in on the craze.

泰国最近刮起了一股追捧仿真玩偶的热潮，据说这种玩偶能带来好运。自两年前发生军事政变以来，泰国政局动荡，经济萎靡不振，老百姓人心惶惶。玩偶潮流或由此产生。

泰国民众主要信奉佛教。过去二三十年，泰国现代化进程发展迅速，但许多民众仍然很迷信，他们在修佛的同

时，也相信鬼神、占星以及巫术之说。这种塑料玩偶约为真人婴儿大小，人称“娃娃神”、“天使娃娃”。信奉者从实体店或网店买来这种娃娃，然后开光供奉，希望带来好运。

49岁的玩偶店主曼安亚· 波密称：“现在经济不好，大家都寻求精神安慰。”曼安亚也是“娃娃神”信奉者。曼安亚说，她供奉的名为“宝珠”的娃娃托梦告诉她彩票号码，使她得以中奖。

泰国精神健康部副部长潘门· 维普康表示，经济下行助长了这个风气。潘门说，“泰国一直就有这种迷信群体，经济不景气则进一步推动了这股风潮。”

2014年5月，泰国发生军事政变，此后该国一直由军政府统治。军中领袖重振出口依赖型经济的举措一直不奏效。类似的迷信风潮以前也出现过。2006年军事政变后曾流行过泥塑护身符，据说能招财。

信奉者非常痴迷这种娃娃神。45岁的美容店老板那素达· 詹他廷供奉“财神娃娃”已有8个月了。她表示，“我的生活改变了很多，越来越好。”

泰国总理帕拉育也发表了看法，建议买不起娃娃的人，就不要参与了。每个娃娃售价在1500至3万泰铢（约合275至5500元人民币）不等，不少商家趁机涨价。

    Words to Learn 相关词汇

   【加剧】 jiājù exacerbate increase the severity, bitterness, or violence of (disease, ill feeling, etc.), aggravate

    【护身符】 hùshēnfú amulet a small object worn to ward off evil, harm, or illness or to bring good fortune, protecting charm