Aviation guidelines issued for ‘child angel' dolls

Chula Sukmanop, director-general at the Airport Department, said the guidelines are aimed at ensuring safety and security for all passengers. All airlines and airports will be required to immediately follow these rules. This follows recent uproar over the carrying of Luk Theps aboard a domestic Thai airline.
Luk Theps are dolls that undergo sacred rituals, and are believed to be “child angels”.
These dolls have raised concerns about aviation safety as passengers are allowed to buy tickets for the dolls and carry them onboard.
Following consultations with representatives of 9 airlines and airports, including the six major airports operated by Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT), the authorities have issued guidelines:
-The so-called child angels must be declared by owners as luggage or belongings of travelling passengers so they can buy tickets for extra seats at a regular price for the dolls, similar to extra seats for valuable belongings such as guitars and other musical instruments or expensive handbags.
- Once the passengers and their dolls are on board, the dolls must be stored in the overhead locker or under the passenger’s seat while the plane prepares for take-off and landing.