THIS is Cheung Thai Kwok, one of Hong Kong's most wanted men and allegedly one of the biggest pimps in Southeast Asia. He has been accused by anti-triad detectives of being the mastermind of a multi-million dollar prostitution syndicate covering four countries.
But while Cheung basks in his luxurious Bangkok flat after escaping the grip of the law, his wife, Amornrat, is adapting to life in prison.
The pretty 24-year-old made legal history in the territory last week when she was convicted for her role in bringing Thai women to Hong Kong for prostitution through ''marriages of convenience''.
Amornrat, a former prostitute herself, and co-defendant Tong Hoi-nam were jailed for 12 months and 18 months respectively. But compared to Cheung, police say, the two are mere minnows in a highly organised and sophisticated racket, which police recently discovered has triad connections.
With a number of agents based in Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Hong Kong, Cheung is said to own a large stake in this sleazy but lucrative prostitution market.
Even his marriage with Amornrat is described as a ''business deal'' by Mongkok Anti-Triad Branch senior inspector Yip Shueng-fung. The couple met when Cheung was a tour guide in Thailand. Around 10 months later they were married.
''He was never interested in being her husband, it was just a good business deal as far as he was concerned,'' said Inspector Yip. ''She used to be a prostitute in Thailand and knew all the right girls to get in touch with for the Hong Kong syndicate.
