No cremation for “child angels”
A Nakhon Pathom-based temple abbot yesterday revealed that he had turned down requests by several owners of “child angels” for doll cremations, following reports of people starting to dump their “Look Thep” dolls at this Bangkok outskirts monastery, as th
Wat Phai Lom abbot Phra Kru Palad Sitthiwat told reporters that a fruit vendor had asked the temple’s undertaker to cremate her “child angel” doll and offered a Bt10,000 cash donation to cover the expenses. She told temple staff that since she obtained the doll many family members criticised her and even called her crazy, and as she could no longer put up with the pressure, wanted the doll to be cremated. The abbot said that he turned down the request and put the doll among many other ones with similar fates at the temple. The Bt10,000 money donation was also contributed to the temple’s Vihara construction campaign instead.
The monk said that he understood the doll owner’s feelings but the cremation was for a human funeral and they must follow the rules. The dolls were not a human body that needs a cremation rite by tradition and law, he explained adding that he also wanted to respect the people’s beliefs and faiths regarding the “child angels.” He said people could leave their “child angels” or “Kuman Thong” baby amulets at the temple at any time and could take them back whenever they wanted.
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