In Thailand, you may see someone carry around their doll as if they were their own child. The owners would feed them and dress their haunted dolls up as belief that they will bring them wealth, blessing and even love.
If the sound of it doesn’t creep you, their life-like look will.
These are the Look Thep dolls, which translates to “Child God”.
They were started by a lady known as Mama Ning over 9 years ago. Apparently she was inspired by the idea of making these dolls from the frustration of her disobedient son. So having an inanimate doll would be better company for her.
The Look Thep are soul-optional. If you’d like a soul to inhabit the factory-manufactured doll, a child’s spirit is invited to possess it.
However, the dolls gained popularity back in 2018 after a radio DJ, Bookkoh Thannatchayapan shared his astonishing story about his doll named “Wansai”.
He said on a TV show that, “The first day I got him, I took him out shopping for clothes in the baby section. Right after I paid for his clothes, I got a call that my canceled job was back on!”
After the unbelievable ordeal, Bookko asked Wansai for a bigger job and promised to buy it a gold necklace in return. And what do you know, Bookko got a call to audition for a great movie role.
“I feel like Wansai really exists,” Bookko said. “I love him as my child.”
The prices of these dolls and it costs about THB2,000 (RM235) to as high as THB15,900 (RM1,870)
Image source: Coconuts Bangkok
What’s crazier is that some people would go to the extent of buying an airplane seat for them.
Even Thai Smile, a subsidiary company of Thai Airways, mentioned back in 2016 that if the dolls have underwent a spiritual ceremony – which means they possess a soul – they can be considered children. That’s smart marketing!
Now in 2024, the trend has gone down. However, you’ll still see 1 or 2 people when you’re out and about with their child dolls.
Ermm I think I’ll pass on having my own possessed doll. It just reminds me of this guy right here. *shudders*
Also read: ‘Possessed’ Woman Spoke In Demonic Voice, Saying “This girl doesn’t exist”
