Thai Covid-19 patient linked to Tsim Sha Tsui bar now suspected of being part of group working illegally in Hong Kong as hostesses
- The woman was one of 10 Thai nationals thought to have entered the city on tourist visas earlier this year
- The woman, however, has denied working as a bar girl, telling police she just visited the pub to hang out
The 10 women, said to have entered the city on tourist visas earlier this year, were among around 30 people inside the China Secret bar on Hart Avenue on September 23, the same night it was visited by a 22-year-old local student who also later tested positive for the disease.
In addition to the 10 Thai women and the Hong Kong student, those inside China Secret that night included six staff members, more than 10 patrons, and four other Thai women with Hong Kong identity cards who worked as “fighters” – or women paid to play drinking games and keep guests company.
“Initial investigation showed the 10 suspected hostesses were brought to the bar via a local agent. We were told that they were paid [by the clients] between HK$400 [US$51] and HK$800 to drink with customers there,” one law enforcement source said.
“We don’t rule out the possibility that they also provided sexual services to their customers in a private deal with an extra charge.”
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He said there were at least two other bars in Yau Tsim Mong district where Thai hostesses worked.