The oldest profession assumes many forms, and in Singapore a witty aphorism applies: dirty secrets thrive in clean cities. Politics hadn’t stopped seediness — it had complicated it, taken the fun out of it and made it assume disguises. In the 21st century, business is as business does.
It is almost midnight, and Apple sees her favourite customer make his way across the dance floor amidst the flashing lights and heart-stopping bass. Smiling, she snakes her way through the writhing crowd with a tequila shot in each hand.
Welcome to Thai Disco 2. Tucked away in a grimy corner of Golden Mile Complex, it is probably the heartbeat of the entire building. Apple, 25, is a “coyote”, the street name for a Thai disco girl. “Coyotes” like Apple are not at all rare in our sunny metropolis – with more than 50 Thai clubs and pubs island-wide, one just has to know where to find them.
“Coyotes” are not part of the lucrative prostitution trade in Singapore. It a simple barter – customers have to buy at least two tequila shots (each shot costs $12) in exchange for their company. These “coyotes” then pocket 50 per cent of the charge.
One class above the “coyotes” are the club singers, whose golden voices have saved them from needing to prowl for customers. Singers can play hard to get, agreeing to only a short 15 minutes of their company in exchange for a minimum of $10 for a garland of plastic flowers. These plastic flowers are forms of appreciation bestowed upon the singers during their performance, ranging from $10 to as much as an impressive $1000. The singers are entitled the entire sum.
With no end to the constant flow of admirers, a singer can earn up to $8k monthly, while a “coyote” can earn anything from $2k to $3.5k depending on their popularity. The secret to staying sober all night (their shifts start from 9pm to 3am daily) of many a “coyote” is simply to “mix the tequila shots with water,” says Apple.
A common misconception that many have is that the mere two shots entitle the customer to a free-flow of flesh, but 20-year-old club regular Low Kai Hui, disagrees. “When you pay for the tequila shot, you’re paying more for her company than her flesh, and this also depends on how much she likes you,” he says.
This does not mean that no seedy activity goes on behind closed doors — on rare occasions, some “coyotes” attempt to tempt potential customers with sexual favours for monetary exchange. When a “coyote” goes thus far, it oversteps the boundary and “morality” of the profession — she is now working as a free-agent.
Although police raids are not unheard of, they are still considered rare. Regular customer Lim Kuan Siong, 24, says “There are no drug or prostitution activities going on. What is not legal is that most girls here have overstayed their social visit passes.”
So what exactly draws in the crowd at these Thai discos? With a plethora of clubs and pubs, Singapore is practically the nightlife hub of Asia. Yet as many as 200 revellers every night shun big names such as St. James Power Station and The Butter Factory in favour of lesser-known Thai discos, the reason being the “wholesome” Thai hospitality.
“I can spend about 100 dollars each time, because the Thai girls here are different. They are more sincere and friendlier as compared to local girls,” says Low.
Of course, customers always want their money’s worth, and the drink prices are a draw as well. A jug of house pour spirits costs $38 and a jug of beer $28. That doesn’t even cover Happy Hour, where 3 jugs go for just $50. Also, a bottle of Martell VSOP brandy, Chivas Regal whisky, Johnnie Walker Black Label whisky and Courvoisier VSOP cognac costs between $148 and $178 each. What’s not to love?
Add booze and gals, and the result is an alternative to the local clubbing scene. Now remember, these girls may not be all that sleazy, but they have their demands as well. In this line, money talks. But don’t worry, it’s nothing personal – it’s all merely (risqué) business.
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