BBC英语口语:曼谷机场的恶魔

Background: 12个大型恶魔雕塑被新安置在泰国曼谷国际机场，众人都在讨论此举背后的原因到底是为了美观还是为了迷信。相关人士说这些颜色鲜亮的雕塑每个都有6米多高，它们是仿照多年前在皇宫地下室发现的雕塑雕刻而成的。将这些雕塑放在机场是想更好地给他们一个展示自己的机会。但有报道说机场工作人员抱怨这些恶魔给机场带来的坏运气。

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You would have thought it hard to miss one six-metre-high scowling demon let alone twelve. 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.