Thais turn to 'child angel' dolls as economy struggles
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。
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。
The plastic dolls, about the size of a real baby, are called "look thep", or "child angel".
这种塑料玩偶约为真人婴儿大小，人称“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.
信奉者从实体店或网店买来这种娃娃，然后开光供奉，希望以此给自己带来好运。
"The economy is bad right now. Everybody needs something to hold on to," said Mananya Boonmee, 49, a doll owner and seller.
49岁的玩偶店主曼安亚·波密称：“现在经济不好，大家都想寻求精神安慰。”曼安亚同时也是个“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.
曼安亚告诉路透社，她供奉的名为“宝珠”的娃娃提前告诉她彩票中奖号码，使她得以中奖。
Panpimon Wipulakorn, deputy director-general of the Department of Mental Health, said the economic downturn exacerbated the phenomenon.
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。
"There have always been groups in Thai society that hold such beliefs and economic worries only help to heighten these beliefs," Panpimon told Reuters.
潘门告诉路透社，“泰国一直就有这种迷信群体，而经济不景气则进一步推动了这股风潮。”
"These people do not have mental health problems."
“这些人并不是有什么精神问题。”
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，泰国发生军事政变，后来该国一直由军政府统治。军中领袖重振经济的举措一直不奏效，已承诺明年恢复民主选举。泰国是个严重依赖出口的国家。
Such fads have happened before. After a 2006 coup, many people turned to plasticine amulets, or charms, in the belief they would bring riches.
类似的迷信风潮以前也出现过。2006年发生军事政变后，当地曾流行过泥塑护身符，据说能带来财运。
Devotees of the dolls lavish attention on them.
信奉者都非常痴迷这种娃娃神。
"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，“我的生活因此改变了很多，变得越来越好。”
"When I hug her, I know it's love. I tell her I love her all the time."
“每当我抱她时，会有一种说不出的爱的感觉。我告诉她我会永远爱她。”
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha weighed in saying people who could not afford to buy the dolls should not do so.
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。
"I've never raised a child angel doll," he quipped.
他自嘲说：“我就从来没供过娃娃神。”
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。
Thai Smile said it would charge passengers who bring dolls on board and would serve them snacks.
泰国微笑航空公司表示，娃娃神享有座位的话须同样付费，该公司也会为“它们”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.
不过泰国民航局已表示，将禁止航空公司向“娃娃神”售票，因为担心这种玩偶可能被用来藏毒。
Vocabulary
exacerbate：使恶化；使加重；使加剧
junta：（以武力夺取政权的）军政府
lavish：慷慨给予
英文来源：路透社
编译：杜娟
