泰國興起供奉“娃娃神” 上飛機有專座
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.
泰國最近颳起了一股追捧仿真玩偶的熱潮，據說這種玩偶能帶來好運。自兩年前發生軍事政變以來，泰國政局動盪，經濟萎靡不振，老百姓人心惶惶。玩偶潮流或由此產生。
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".
泰國民衆主要信奉佛教。過去二三十年，泰國現代化進程發展迅速，但許多民衆仍然很迷信，他們在修佛的同時，也相信鬼神、占星以及巫術之說。
The plastic dolls, about the size of a real baby, are called "look thep", or "child angel".
這種塑料玩偶約爲真人嬰兒大小，人稱“娃娃神”、“天使娃娃”。
Devotees buy them in shops or online and invite benevolent spirits to possess them, hoping they will bring good luck.
信奉者從實體店或網店買來這種娃娃，然後開光供奉，希望以此給自己帶來好運。
"The economy is bad right now. Everybody needs something to hold on to," said Mananya Boonmee, 49, a doll owner and seller.
49歲的玩偶店主曼安亞·波密稱：“現在經濟不好，大家都想尋求精神安慰。”曼安亞同時也是個“娃娃神”信奉者。
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.
曼安亞告訴路透社，她供奉的名爲“寶珠”的娃娃提前告訴她彩票中獎號碼，使她得以中獎。
Panpimon Wipulakorn, deputy director-general of the Department of Mental Health, said the economic downturn exacerbated the phenomenon.
泰國精神健康部副部長潘門·維普康表示，經濟下行助長了這個風氣。
"There have always been groups in Thai society that hold such beliefs and economic worries only help to heighten these beliefs," Panpimon told Reuters.
潘門告訴路透社，“泰國一直就有這種迷信羣體，而經濟不景氣則進一步推動了這股風潮。”
"These people do not have mental health problems."
“這些人並不是有什麼精神問題。”
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.
2014年5月，泰國發生軍事政變，後來該國一直由軍政府統治。軍中領袖重振經濟的舉措一直不奏效，已承諾明年恢復民主選舉。泰國是個嚴重依賴出口的國家。
Such fads have happened before. After a 2006 coup, many people turned to plasticine amulets, or charms, in the belief they would bring riches.
類似的迷信風潮以前也出現過。2006年發生軍事政變後，當地曾流行過泥塑護身符，據說能帶來財運。
Devotees of the dolls lavish attention on them.
信奉者都非常癡迷這種娃娃神。
"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.
45歲的美容店老闆那素達·詹他廷供奉“財神娃娃”已有8個月了。她表示，“我的生活因此改變了很多，變得越來越好。”
"When I hug her, I know it's love. I tell her I love her all the time."
“每當我抱她時，會有一種說不出的愛的感覺。我告訴她我會永遠愛她。”
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha weighed in saying people who could not afford to buy the dolls should not do so.
泰國總理帕拉育也發表了看法，建議買不起娃娃的人，就不要參與了。
"I've never raised a child angel doll," he quipped.
他自嘲說：“我就從來沒供過娃娃神。”
The dolls cost from 1,500 baht to up to 30,000 baht and some businesses are tapping in on the craze.
每個娃娃售價在1500至3萬泰銖（約合275至5500元人民幣）不等，不少商家趁機漲價。
Thai Smile said it would charge passengers who bring dolls on board and would serve them snacks.
泰國微笑航空公司表示，娃娃神享有座位的話須同樣付費，該公司也會爲“它們”提供零食。
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.
不過泰國民航局已表示，將禁止航空公司向“娃娃神”售票，因爲擔心這種玩偶可能被用來藏毒。
Vocabulary
exacerbate：使惡化；使加重；使加劇
junta：（以武力奪取政權的）軍政府
lavish：慷慨給予
