Bangkok Airport Demons 曼谷機場的惡魔

By Rachel Harvey, Bangkok

媒體英語會帶大家一起學習BBC撰稿人在報道世界大事時常用到的單詞和短語。

Background : 12個大型惡魔雕塑被新安置在泰國曼谷國際機場，眾人都在討論此舉背后的原因到底是為了美觀還是為了迷信。相關人士說這些顏色鮮亮的雕塑每個都有6米多高，它們是仿照多年前在皇宮地下室發現的雕塑雕刻而成的。將這些雕塑放在機場是想更好地給他們一個展示自己的機會。但有報道說機場工作人員抱怨這些惡魔給機場帶來的壞運氣。

But the authorities at Bangkok's main airport say they are relocating their spirit statues to the check-in area, where they are thought more likely to be noticed and appreciated by passengers.

Local media are reporting the real reason for the move is that airport staff had come to believe the figures, collectively worth almost $1m, had brought them bad luck.

Last year the airport was blockaded for eight days by political protestors, resulting in a big loss in earnings.

But moving the statues is not a matter to be taken lightly.

Buddhists believe the demons to be symbols of anger, strength and power.

Some astrologers are warning that shifting them to a new location might bring more bad luck and have suggested a safer option might be simply to turn them around to face a different direction.