Triads
There is a great deal of nonsense spoken about triads. Movies propagate much of this glorification, encouraged by certain sections of the media exaggerating their exploits and influence.
But let's be clear: traids are a serious threat to law and order, and their influence can be detrimental to social order. They do terrible things to further their aims. However, these are criminals who can be defeated, and their public image, as portrayed in movies, bears little resemblance to the grim reality of their modern-day existence.
The accruements, or symbols of wealth and success, of flashy cars and pretty women are things that few triads can afford. Most live with their parents, are underachievers, socially inept and losers. They enjoy poor health and limited life expectancy, whilst they are as vulnerable, the same as the rest of us, if their immediate family is threatened.
Only a few manage to climb the ladder, enjoy the spoils of their crime, and retire in relative comfort. Understanding this is important because of the myth of invincibility that has grown around their activities. This myth, perpetuated by their portrayal in media and popular culture, suggests that the triads are untouchable and all-powerful. It is also true that in recent years, with tighter controls on money flows in response to terrorist funding concerns, the triads and other organised criminal gangs have found themselves suffering collateral damage.
History records the first appearance of the triads in about 1647 as part of an effort to overthrow the Manchu rulers of China. This movement finally succeeded with the formation of the Republic of China in 1912, as Dr. Sun Yat-sen proclaimed the defeat of the Manchus. The role that the triads played in that process was acknowledged, yet many officials in the new China hoped that, with time, they would disband. Understanding this historical context is crucial to empathize with the circumstances that led to the formation of the triads.
Unfortunately, the triads did not opt to follow that plan, as by now, they had grown to wield considerable power and generate sizable incomes through their criminal activity. It was soon evident that they intended to take their place in the new Republic of China, making inroads into all sectors of society and, for a time, enjoying a reasonable degree of respectability.
As China slipped into a period of instability, with the Nationalists fighting the Communists and both fighting the Japanese, all sides recognised the potential of the triad movement and sought to use it for their ends. The triads were well placed to benefit from the turmoil that prevailed nationwide.
In 1926, Chairman MAO described the triads as "the beneficial people's mutual aid groups" to draw them into his influence. This approach worked with some groups, and he put them to good use. On the other hand, in the 1940s, the Nationalists used the triads to bolster their support in the fight against the communists. The Nationalists were recorded to have staged large-scale triad initiation ceremonies for thousands of police officers, soldiers, civil servants and other personnel.
There is also evidence that the Japanese used the triads as proxies during the occupation of China to control the local population. This role should not be a surprise, as various governments throughout history have cooperated with triad groups in differing ways to support their aims and objectives. There is evidence that in the modern era, the British rulers of Hong Kong could ignore triad activity if their broader interests coincided.
The active use of the triads against an opponent probably reached its height in late 1941. With the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong underway and British forces retreating to Hong Kong Island for their last stand, triads were co-opted to help the resistance. On Christmas Eve, the British supplied triad elements with revolvers and grenades, dispatching them in suicide squads as a last-ditch effort against the Japanese. However, I can find no evidence of any attacks having taken place.
The influence of the triads was felt in Hong Kong long before the British arrived, with the formal foundation of the Crown colony in 1842. Well before then, triads had fled south into Guangdong province to avoid the various purges underway as the rulers in Beijing struggled to exert their power. Under the premise that 'the mountain is high, and Emperor away,' these groups came south to avoid attention. In the process, they brought their criminal activities with them.
With the arrival of the British in Hong Kong and the formation of the crown colony, the Chinese population naturally bonded together in the face of these foreign devils. The triads, with their deep-rooted history and influence, provided a natural rallying point for a local population that needed leadership during these difficult times. Thus, the triads, in their own way, provided a form of unofficial governance, with their influence flourishing as they could provide a degree of protection for the local populace.
The power and influence of the triads did not go unnoticed by the new British rulers of Hong Kong. It soon became evident to them that the triads represented a potential threat to their authority, as they acted as another centre of power within the infant colony. Thus, by 1845, just three years after the Colony's formation, legislation was in place to outlaw the triads. However, this new legislation had little impact because the triads, with their cunning and resourcefulness, sought to move their activities forward through trade guilds, clansman associations, sports clubs and other lawful societies. These organisations provided the ideal cover for the triads to organise their activities. Even today, the triads seek to use such bodies as a cover for their illegal activities.
By 1941, as Hong Kong faced the threat of Japanese invasion, the British Colonial Government fully recognised that the triads presented a danger. There was a proven concern that the Japanese would seek to use the triads as a 'fifth column' against British interests. Despite vigorous action by the British, including summary arrest on a large scale, the triads were able to remain in place as a force to be reckoned with as the Japanese army marched into town.
The Chinese government was active in Hong Kong before the Japanese invasion. Famous personalities such as the one-legged Admiral CHAN Chak operated spies, largely drawn from northern triad groups.
The triad's support for the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong was hardly covert or nuanced. The Japanese gave money to form the "Peace Aid Corp", a de-facto police force that carried out enforcement action on their behalf, freeing them of the nuisance of managing the few remaining citizens. As payment, the triads were allowed to continue their criminal activities as long as they did not impinge on Japanese interests. This arrangement left the local citizens at the mercy of the triads, who profited greatly from the situation. Moreover, the role the Japanese granted them proved the foundation of their legitimate status in the eyes of Hong Kong's underclass. Throughout the Japanese occupation, the triads operated with impunity, controlling the black market and the opium trade whilst extorting anyone who wanted to do business.
There are reports that the triads even exploited detained former officials held in the civilian internment camps at Stanley. They smuggled in items of food, with payment made by whatever means the wretched detainees could afford.
In November 1945, some three months after liberation, the Special Branch was already working on the triad issue. The initial months after the Japanese surrender had seen widespread looting across the Colony. This unrest was gradually brought under control by Police and military patrols. Of immediate concern was the number of guns circulating, as the Japanese had given these away indiscriminately once their surrender was announced. One estimate suggested the Japanese handed out 7,000 small arms.
The Special Branch identified three groups of concern: the Gambling House Gang, the Chungking Gang and the triads. As the name suggests, the Gambling House Gang ran the public gaming houses. The Japanese had granted the group leader, WAN Tuck-ming, the rights to operate these premises on the agreement that his 3,000-strong gang would assist with law enforcement. In a bold act, after the Japanese surrender, WAN offered his services to the British on the same terms. Officials refused his offer, although the few British Police felt somewhat vulnerable as WAN had more armed people at his disposal than the Police. This situation improved once the British naval forces sailed in.
WAN was eventually persuaded to break up his gang and leave Hong Kong, although it's unclear whether he honoured all parts of this agreement, including the return of firearms. WAN provided details of potential troublemakers; he was paid for this.
The Chung King Gang was a different type of organisation, as it originated in the Free China movement. Its 2,000 members were armed, having arrived in Hong Kong in 1943 as an underground effort to murder Japanese officials and commit sabotage. On the departure of the Japanese, the gang emerged and worked openly with the struggling Hong Kong Police to maintain order.
Members were given armbands to identify them, conferring an official status. Unfortunately, members used this status for criminal ends, bringing them into conflict with the already stretched Police. Eventually, the group's status dropped, with the armbands removed and collected. A few group members continued their criminal activities, although most returned to the Mainland.
The Special Branch estimated that in 1941, before the arrival of the Japanese, 60,000 triads operated in Hong Kong. By 1945, this number was down, although estimates of numbers are considered inaccurate given the lack of available intelligence. What was known was that the triads had ready access to firearms, mainly from the departing Japanese.
An arms amnesty was announced, with threats of severe penalties for non-compliance. Working with the military, the Police then sought to implement systematic searches aimed at recovering as many guns as possible. These efforts bore fruit with many firearms handed in, seizures and finds. Nonetheless, it was recognised that many weapons remained in circulation and would continue to be found for decades.
By 1947, concern was growing that the triads had managed to consolidate their position, with tight control over much of the criminal activity in the Colony. Officials, therefore, decided to establish the Special Investigation Bureau with its sole focus on triads.
By the late 1940s, the continuing civil war on the Mainland was displacing people with an increased flow of refugees entering the Colony. Amongst these displaced people were triads, who had previously held sway in Shanghai and other major Chinese cities. These new arrivals quickly reverted to their known trade, with the Police witnessing a significant jump in the heroin supply. Further, these new arrivals encroached on the activities of local gangs, who did not take kindly to the increased competition. This friction soon spilt into gang fights as the different societies fought for dominance.
The Police were encouraged by these developments as they indicated no single group was dominant. Undercover agents tried to divide the various fractions to maintain control. The wiser heads in the triads movement understood that violence simply played into the Police's hands, with the risk of alienating the local population. Meetings and settlement talks were called to curtail the infighting, although only an uneasy peace resulted.
In 1956, Hong Kong experienced serious civil disorder, which produced widespread looting in Kowloon. The Police needed to use firearms to restore order in Sham Shui Po, whilst the British Army shot dead six people during a night of trouble in Tsuen Wan. It was subsequently established that Triad groups had exploited the political unrest to orchestrate much of the looting during the disturbances. Moreover, with the Police busy, they conducted large-scale extortion by threatening to destroy shops if protection money was not forthcoming.
This episode once again highlighted the threat posed by the triads and the seeming inability of the Police to curtail their illegal activities. A crackdown began towards the end of 1956 and ran through 1960. The record shows that over 10,000 Triad officials and foot soldiers were arrested. Some faced deportation, with estimates of nearly 600 removed from the Colony. Others were detained in prisons and camps under Emergency Regulations with the Police supervising. These robust measures had the desired effect as triad-related offences declined, although they never disappeared.
The Police trumpeted this success. In a 1960 report, the then Commissioner was candid enough to attempt to say the Colony was home to approximately 500,000 triads. However, he was quick to point out that the majority remained inactive. The integrity of this assessment could be better, given the corruption at that time and the fact that the triads retained their core infrastructure. However, at least police efforts were becoming more professional with the Triad Society Bureau in existence, and its express function was to disrupt the activity of the gangs.
In the early 1960s, officials assessed that some headway was being made to tackle the triad menace. The once closely tight groups were showing signs of fragmenting. This work soon faltered with the onset of civil unrest that started in 1966 and escalated to full-blown rioting in 1967. With the Police distracted from dealing with public order, the triads enjoyed a period of relative freedom. Even the Triad Society Bureau was reassigned as the 'Bomb Investigation Unit' with the task of catching those responsible for the extensive bombing campaign. With the pressure off, the triads saw an opportunity and took it.
Almost immediately, the Police recorded a significant increase in gang fights and related attacks as the various groups fought to position themselves. This situation was to continue largely unchecked until about mid-1968 when the Force, finally recovering from its exertions, managed to get some focus on anti-triad work.
The next notable event was the formation of the ICAC, with its attendant purge of corrupt officers. I will cover some of the details elsewhere. Indeed, as the purge gathered pace in 1976 and 1977, it drove from the Police Force officers with undesirable connections to the triads and a few who proved to be active triads members. This action had several immediate benefits, including lessening the opportunity to compromise operations.
The current state of play with the triads is as dynamic as ever. In the past 30 years, the Sun Yee On has emerged as a leading player. The current triads most active are:
Sun Yee On (新義安) is a relative newcomer and a significant Hong Kong player. It was formed in 1919, initially based in eastern Guangdong. When the founder and leader of the group was deported to Taiwan in the 1950s, members also spread their influence into Hong Kong. Notably, police assessments from the early 1970s portrayed the Sun Yee On as a minor sub-group within the larger Chiu Chau grouping. However, since the 1980s, Sun, Yee On has expanded its activities with its geographical bases in West Kowloon and Tsuen Mun. Since the handover in 1997, Sun Yee On has taken a lower profile, with increasing signs that it is moving into more legitimate businesses.
The 14K (十四K) was initially formed as an anti-communist action group by a Kuomintang General in 1945. The origins of its name are disputed. The group fled to Hong Kong in 1949 when the communists took power on the Mainland. The 14K proliferated, with numerous sub-groups forming that eventually came into conflict. In recent years, the 14K has also engaged in disputes with the Sun Yee On and other groups.
Wo Shing Wo (和勝和) is a home-grown Hong Kong group. Thought to have been formed in the Sham Shui Po area in 1930, it now operates from Tsuen Wan, although its influence extends across Hong Kong. Over the past decade, the Wo Shing Wo has moved into some areas previously seen as the domain of the Sun Yee On. In another telling development, control of the Wo Shing Wo has fragmented in recent years. By tradition, it does not have a single Dragon Head, and two people currently hold that designation. These individuals do not get along, which in turn has led to sub-groups engaging in attacks on each other as the Dragon Heads are unable or unwilling to broker settlement talks.
Wo On Lok or Shui Fong (水房幫): this group started life in the 1930s as a workers union at a soft drinks company in Sham Shui Po, hence the name Shui Fong, which means 'water room.' Shui Fong has engaged in several internal disputes over leadership that led to much internal violence between 2009 and 2011. In addition, the group has challenged others, including the 14K in Macau.
Wo Hop To (和合圖), an Aberdeen-based group, is viewed as retro because it adheres to triad traditions, including retaining a single Dragon Head. It is believed to have formed in about 1908 as a political group. The overseas faction of this group is based in San Francisco, where it has aggressively pushed other groups out of the city.
The traditional structure of the triad gang is portrayed thus
But let's be clear: traids are a serious threat to law and order, and their influence can be detrimental to social order. They do terrible things to further their aims. However, these are criminals who can be defeated, and their public image, as portrayed in movies, bears little resemblance to the grim reality of their modern-day existence.
The accruements, or symbols of wealth and success, of flashy cars and pretty women are things that few triads can afford. Most live with their parents, are underachievers, socially inept and losers. They enjoy poor health and limited life expectancy, whilst they are as vulnerable, the same as the rest of us, if their immediate family is threatened.
Only a few manage to climb the ladder, enjoy the spoils of their crime, and retire in relative comfort. Understanding this is important because of the myth of invincibility that has grown around their activities. This myth, perpetuated by their portrayal in media and popular culture, suggests that the triads are untouchable and all-powerful. It is also true that in recent years, with tighter controls on money flows in response to terrorist funding concerns, the triads and other organised criminal gangs have found themselves suffering collateral damage.
History records the first appearance of the triads in about 1647 as part of an effort to overthrow the Manchu rulers of China. This movement finally succeeded with the formation of the Republic of China in 1912, as Dr. Sun Yat-sen proclaimed the defeat of the Manchus. The role that the triads played in that process was acknowledged, yet many officials in the new China hoped that, with time, they would disband. Understanding this historical context is crucial to empathize with the circumstances that led to the formation of the triads.
Unfortunately, the triads did not opt to follow that plan, as by now, they had grown to wield considerable power and generate sizable incomes through their criminal activity. It was soon evident that they intended to take their place in the new Republic of China, making inroads into all sectors of society and, for a time, enjoying a reasonable degree of respectability.
As China slipped into a period of instability, with the Nationalists fighting the Communists and both fighting the Japanese, all sides recognised the potential of the triad movement and sought to use it for their ends. The triads were well placed to benefit from the turmoil that prevailed nationwide.
In 1926, Chairman MAO described the triads as "the beneficial people's mutual aid groups" to draw them into his influence. This approach worked with some groups, and he put them to good use. On the other hand, in the 1940s, the Nationalists used the triads to bolster their support in the fight against the communists. The Nationalists were recorded to have staged large-scale triad initiation ceremonies for thousands of police officers, soldiers, civil servants and other personnel.
There is also evidence that the Japanese used the triads as proxies during the occupation of China to control the local population. This role should not be a surprise, as various governments throughout history have cooperated with triad groups in differing ways to support their aims and objectives. There is evidence that in the modern era, the British rulers of Hong Kong could ignore triad activity if their broader interests coincided.
The active use of the triads against an opponent probably reached its height in late 1941. With the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong underway and British forces retreating to Hong Kong Island for their last stand, triads were co-opted to help the resistance. On Christmas Eve, the British supplied triad elements with revolvers and grenades, dispatching them in suicide squads as a last-ditch effort against the Japanese. However, I can find no evidence of any attacks having taken place.
The influence of the triads was felt in Hong Kong long before the British arrived, with the formal foundation of the Crown colony in 1842. Well before then, triads had fled south into Guangdong province to avoid the various purges underway as the rulers in Beijing struggled to exert their power. Under the premise that 'the mountain is high, and Emperor away,' these groups came south to avoid attention. In the process, they brought their criminal activities with them.
With the arrival of the British in Hong Kong and the formation of the crown colony, the Chinese population naturally bonded together in the face of these foreign devils. The triads, with their deep-rooted history and influence, provided a natural rallying point for a local population that needed leadership during these difficult times. Thus, the triads, in their own way, provided a form of unofficial governance, with their influence flourishing as they could provide a degree of protection for the local populace.
The power and influence of the triads did not go unnoticed by the new British rulers of Hong Kong. It soon became evident to them that the triads represented a potential threat to their authority, as they acted as another centre of power within the infant colony. Thus, by 1845, just three years after the Colony's formation, legislation was in place to outlaw the triads. However, this new legislation had little impact because the triads, with their cunning and resourcefulness, sought to move their activities forward through trade guilds, clansman associations, sports clubs and other lawful societies. These organisations provided the ideal cover for the triads to organise their activities. Even today, the triads seek to use such bodies as a cover for their illegal activities.
By 1941, as Hong Kong faced the threat of Japanese invasion, the British Colonial Government fully recognised that the triads presented a danger. There was a proven concern that the Japanese would seek to use the triads as a 'fifth column' against British interests. Despite vigorous action by the British, including summary arrest on a large scale, the triads were able to remain in place as a force to be reckoned with as the Japanese army marched into town.
The Chinese government was active in Hong Kong before the Japanese invasion. Famous personalities such as the one-legged Admiral CHAN Chak operated spies, largely drawn from northern triad groups.
The triad's support for the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong was hardly covert or nuanced. The Japanese gave money to form the "Peace Aid Corp", a de-facto police force that carried out enforcement action on their behalf, freeing them of the nuisance of managing the few remaining citizens. As payment, the triads were allowed to continue their criminal activities as long as they did not impinge on Japanese interests. This arrangement left the local citizens at the mercy of the triads, who profited greatly from the situation. Moreover, the role the Japanese granted them proved the foundation of their legitimate status in the eyes of Hong Kong's underclass. Throughout the Japanese occupation, the triads operated with impunity, controlling the black market and the opium trade whilst extorting anyone who wanted to do business.
There are reports that the triads even exploited detained former officials held in the civilian internment camps at Stanley. They smuggled in items of food, with payment made by whatever means the wretched detainees could afford.
In November 1945, some three months after liberation, the Special Branch was already working on the triad issue. The initial months after the Japanese surrender had seen widespread looting across the Colony. This unrest was gradually brought under control by Police and military patrols. Of immediate concern was the number of guns circulating, as the Japanese had given these away indiscriminately once their surrender was announced. One estimate suggested the Japanese handed out 7,000 small arms.
The Special Branch identified three groups of concern: the Gambling House Gang, the Chungking Gang and the triads. As the name suggests, the Gambling House Gang ran the public gaming houses. The Japanese had granted the group leader, WAN Tuck-ming, the rights to operate these premises on the agreement that his 3,000-strong gang would assist with law enforcement. In a bold act, after the Japanese surrender, WAN offered his services to the British on the same terms. Officials refused his offer, although the few British Police felt somewhat vulnerable as WAN had more armed people at his disposal than the Police. This situation improved once the British naval forces sailed in.
WAN was eventually persuaded to break up his gang and leave Hong Kong, although it's unclear whether he honoured all parts of this agreement, including the return of firearms. WAN provided details of potential troublemakers; he was paid for this.
The Chung King Gang was a different type of organisation, as it originated in the Free China movement. Its 2,000 members were armed, having arrived in Hong Kong in 1943 as an underground effort to murder Japanese officials and commit sabotage. On the departure of the Japanese, the gang emerged and worked openly with the struggling Hong Kong Police to maintain order.
Members were given armbands to identify them, conferring an official status. Unfortunately, members used this status for criminal ends, bringing them into conflict with the already stretched Police. Eventually, the group's status dropped, with the armbands removed and collected. A few group members continued their criminal activities, although most returned to the Mainland.
The Special Branch estimated that in 1941, before the arrival of the Japanese, 60,000 triads operated in Hong Kong. By 1945, this number was down, although estimates of numbers are considered inaccurate given the lack of available intelligence. What was known was that the triads had ready access to firearms, mainly from the departing Japanese.
An arms amnesty was announced, with threats of severe penalties for non-compliance. Working with the military, the Police then sought to implement systematic searches aimed at recovering as many guns as possible. These efforts bore fruit with many firearms handed in, seizures and finds. Nonetheless, it was recognised that many weapons remained in circulation and would continue to be found for decades.
By 1947, concern was growing that the triads had managed to consolidate their position, with tight control over much of the criminal activity in the Colony. Officials, therefore, decided to establish the Special Investigation Bureau with its sole focus on triads.
By the late 1940s, the continuing civil war on the Mainland was displacing people with an increased flow of refugees entering the Colony. Amongst these displaced people were triads, who had previously held sway in Shanghai and other major Chinese cities. These new arrivals quickly reverted to their known trade, with the Police witnessing a significant jump in the heroin supply. Further, these new arrivals encroached on the activities of local gangs, who did not take kindly to the increased competition. This friction soon spilt into gang fights as the different societies fought for dominance.
The Police were encouraged by these developments as they indicated no single group was dominant. Undercover agents tried to divide the various fractions to maintain control. The wiser heads in the triads movement understood that violence simply played into the Police's hands, with the risk of alienating the local population. Meetings and settlement talks were called to curtail the infighting, although only an uneasy peace resulted.
In 1956, Hong Kong experienced serious civil disorder, which produced widespread looting in Kowloon. The Police needed to use firearms to restore order in Sham Shui Po, whilst the British Army shot dead six people during a night of trouble in Tsuen Wan. It was subsequently established that Triad groups had exploited the political unrest to orchestrate much of the looting during the disturbances. Moreover, with the Police busy, they conducted large-scale extortion by threatening to destroy shops if protection money was not forthcoming.
This episode once again highlighted the threat posed by the triads and the seeming inability of the Police to curtail their illegal activities. A crackdown began towards the end of 1956 and ran through 1960. The record shows that over 10,000 Triad officials and foot soldiers were arrested. Some faced deportation, with estimates of nearly 600 removed from the Colony. Others were detained in prisons and camps under Emergency Regulations with the Police supervising. These robust measures had the desired effect as triad-related offences declined, although they never disappeared.
The Police trumpeted this success. In a 1960 report, the then Commissioner was candid enough to attempt to say the Colony was home to approximately 500,000 triads. However, he was quick to point out that the majority remained inactive. The integrity of this assessment could be better, given the corruption at that time and the fact that the triads retained their core infrastructure. However, at least police efforts were becoming more professional with the Triad Society Bureau in existence, and its express function was to disrupt the activity of the gangs.
In the early 1960s, officials assessed that some headway was being made to tackle the triad menace. The once closely tight groups were showing signs of fragmenting. This work soon faltered with the onset of civil unrest that started in 1966 and escalated to full-blown rioting in 1967. With the Police distracted from dealing with public order, the triads enjoyed a period of relative freedom. Even the Triad Society Bureau was reassigned as the 'Bomb Investigation Unit' with the task of catching those responsible for the extensive bombing campaign. With the pressure off, the triads saw an opportunity and took it.
Almost immediately, the Police recorded a significant increase in gang fights and related attacks as the various groups fought to position themselves. This situation was to continue largely unchecked until about mid-1968 when the Force, finally recovering from its exertions, managed to get some focus on anti-triad work.
The next notable event was the formation of the ICAC, with its attendant purge of corrupt officers. I will cover some of the details elsewhere. Indeed, as the purge gathered pace in 1976 and 1977, it drove from the Police Force officers with undesirable connections to the triads and a few who proved to be active triads members. This action had several immediate benefits, including lessening the opportunity to compromise operations.
The current state of play with the triads is as dynamic as ever. In the past 30 years, the Sun Yee On has emerged as a leading player. The current triads most active are:
Sun Yee On (新義安) is a relative newcomer and a significant Hong Kong player. It was formed in 1919, initially based in eastern Guangdong. When the founder and leader of the group was deported to Taiwan in the 1950s, members also spread their influence into Hong Kong. Notably, police assessments from the early 1970s portrayed the Sun Yee On as a minor sub-group within the larger Chiu Chau grouping. However, since the 1980s, Sun, Yee On has expanded its activities with its geographical bases in West Kowloon and Tsuen Mun. Since the handover in 1997, Sun Yee On has taken a lower profile, with increasing signs that it is moving into more legitimate businesses.
The 14K (十四K) was initially formed as an anti-communist action group by a Kuomintang General in 1945. The origins of its name are disputed. The group fled to Hong Kong in 1949 when the communists took power on the Mainland. The 14K proliferated, with numerous sub-groups forming that eventually came into conflict. In recent years, the 14K has also engaged in disputes with the Sun Yee On and other groups.
Wo Shing Wo (和勝和) is a home-grown Hong Kong group. Thought to have been formed in the Sham Shui Po area in 1930, it now operates from Tsuen Wan, although its influence extends across Hong Kong. Over the past decade, the Wo Shing Wo has moved into some areas previously seen as the domain of the Sun Yee On. In another telling development, control of the Wo Shing Wo has fragmented in recent years. By tradition, it does not have a single Dragon Head, and two people currently hold that designation. These individuals do not get along, which in turn has led to sub-groups engaging in attacks on each other as the Dragon Heads are unable or unwilling to broker settlement talks.
Wo On Lok or Shui Fong (水房幫): this group started life in the 1930s as a workers union at a soft drinks company in Sham Shui Po, hence the name Shui Fong, which means 'water room.' Shui Fong has engaged in several internal disputes over leadership that led to much internal violence between 2009 and 2011. In addition, the group has challenged others, including the 14K in Macau.
Wo Hop To (和合圖), an Aberdeen-based group, is viewed as retro because it adheres to triad traditions, including retaining a single Dragon Head. It is believed to have formed in about 1908 as a political group. The overseas faction of this group is based in San Francisco, where it has aggressively pushed other groups out of the city.
The traditional structure of the triad gang is portrayed thus
This linear hierarchy was probably proper when most triads formed, but it has since fallen from use. Such a clear, well-defined structure has distinct command lines facilitating group control. Also, such a structure provides an easy job for law enforcement as you follow the money flow through the group to take out the key players. A single Dragon Head allows pressure to be exerted at one point for maximum impact. As such, this structure would never survive against determined police action.
With the possible exception of the Wo Hop To, these days triad command structures are much looser, with multiple Dragon Heads leading to a networked arrangement. Some groups have even totally opted out of the defined roles, forming matrix-type models for their operations. Adopting these flexible structures has resulted in loosening control and loyalties within groups, with young pretenders and hotheads more likely to challenge the bosses, and independent actions are taking place.
The thinking triad bosses recognise this means more police attention and disruption to their income flows. Therefore, they seek to mitigate this by either restraining their members or occasionally leaking information to the Police. The attack on a well-known journalist in March 2014 prompted sustained police action against elements of the Wo Shing Wo group, with frequent raids on bars, nightclubs and other commercial interests seen to be connected to the group.
This effort was so effective that it compromised the group's cash flows, as the public opted to stay away from venues seen as Wo Shing Wo affiliates. With income hit, the Wo Shing Wo sought to distance itself from the attack.
The old triad structures have entirely disappeared in many regards. Today, at the most mundane level, the relationship is between the 'Big Brother' and his immediate followers. The Big Brother may have an affiliation above him, but he may not. Further, the groups adopt names such as 'Jordan Market Wo Shing Wo' to indicate their geographical home.
Likewise, the complicated initiation ceremonies of the past have largely disappeared in favour of something relatively quick.
I get the impression that the public, with their perceptions framed by the media and movies, believes that triads are constantly engaged in highly lucrative and exciting criminal activity. The truth is much more prosaic. As an illustration, in April 2013, Tsuen Wan Police District dealt with an escalating dispute between Sun Yee On and Wo Shing Wo over distributing rice boxes to workers at the Science Park in Shatin.
A local Wo Shing Wo figure monopolised rice box supply, dispatching them from his Tsuen Wan-cooked food shop to Shatin. Sun Yee On characters in Shatin felt this was an affront to their authority, as they claimed control of the area. Threats were made and ignored, and then the Sun Yee On acted by roughing up the Wo Shing Wo guys and dropping off the rice boxes. After a failed negotiation attempt, a car was rammed into the Tsuen Wan shop. We soon rounded up all involved whilst the rice box business passed on to someone else.
Other cases involved one gang attacking another over the fact that a 16-year-old girl had switched her affections. It's hardly the stuff of big league players; nonetheless, these incidents could prove serious as the bravado of the attack can get out of hand with terrible consequences.
The triads do enjoy some steady incomes from extorting PLB drivers and vulnerable shopkeepers and by providing bouncing services at nightclubs. But the more astute have taken advantage of the burgeoning gambling scene in Macau: running private rooms catering for high rollers, whilst their foot soldiers profit from loansharking, debt collection, and associated activities. Those with solid connections on the Mainland have sought to focus their operations in lucrative areas, with semi-legal enterprises connected to corrupt officials.
The events of 9/11 were to have a profound impact on the operations of the triads. In the scramble to appease a wounded and belligerent America, countries enforced money laundering legislation or enacted harsher regimes to cut off terrorist money. As a byproduct of these initiatives, criminal gangs, including the triads, suddenly found it more challenging to move their illicit funds around.
The draconian powers given to law enforcement could work locally, with street-level toughs suddenly having to explain how they came about their income without regular employment. Such measures began to hit the front-line triads hard as each Police District selected a target, investigated, prosecuted and then moved on to the next.
More than ever, the triads understood the importance of keeping a low profile to avoid unwelcome attention from the Police or the media. One triad boss candidly revealed that money laundering laws caused him significant worry. In response, he sought to turn legitimate as he assessed the risks as too high.
The use of other asian gangs or vulnerable groups was adopted to minimise the risk of exposure. Pakistani gangs are employed for fighing and attacks on rivals, while domestic helpers are duped into money laundering or as drug couriers. As such, the triads continue to evolve.
Now, it is a foolhardy police officer who purports to have 'smashed the triads.' In reality, the battle is constant, shifting, full of challenges and must be relentless. However, the statistics are showing a steady decline in triad-related activity. Whilst these figures only tell part of the story, I have heard much anecdotal evidence to suggest a decrease in activity. This information includes shopkeepers remarking they experienced no soliciting of lucky money over Chinese New Year, whilst even sex workers (always a vulnerable group) have reported fewer attempts to extort them.
In the late 1980s, the government ran a triad renunciation scheme. Triads could have their history reviewed and their record expunged by a tribunal, allowing them a fresh start. The scheme operated for about two and half years before it closed. Some 1,100 triad members applied to renounce their allegiance, although only 600-odd succeeded. Some were motivated by a desire to leave Hong Kong with the approach of 1997, opting into the scheme to clear their records before recommencing their activities overseas. Some foreign governments took a dim view as the scheme effectively allowed Hong Kong-based triads to cover their tracks before heading overseas.
On a related note, I've seen ill-considered and naive attempts by well-meaning church groups to intervene with young triads. Some may have turned away from crime, but in one instance, a Christian group adopted a young triad into their congregation and sought to protect him from police attention.
We received a steady stream of letters asserting the young man had seen the light and had foresworn his evil ways. Meanwhile, he was trafficking drugs at group discussion sessions when not busy de-flowering the young ladies. The Pastor scolded us for the arrest of this convert and never had the decency to apologise when the truth came out.
Notably, a good number of triad leaders purport to be devout Christians. This phenomenon was undoubtedly seen in the 1900s, while even in modern Hong Kong, a few triad bosses have talked about their religious views. Cynical people may argue that the Church offers some form of forgiveness for the lives these men lead. Understanding the motivation behind such conflicting beliefs and behaviours would be interesting.
In summary, the triads were never the monolithic institutions with central commands that the media sought to portray. The reality is more complex, dynamic and intriguing as it evolves in the modern world. These days, the thinking triads seek to minimise their exposure to law enforcement, increasingly turning to legitimate businesses to supplement and mask illegal activities. They are always ready to use their muscle when the situation merits. Control of the on-street thug element of the triads is declining, leading to increased segmentation. This evolution presents new challenges for the Police as they seek to keep triad activity in check.
A few triad individuals have gained a position in society that accords them respectability and acceptance in what passes for polite company. These men appear on the surface to have foregone their old ways, using power and money to gain influence instead of strong-arm tactics and threats. Whether they have detached themselves from their former triad connections is debatable.
Returning to my opening observation, the vast majority of triad members don't make the transition to a 'better tomorrow.' This assessment is exceptionally accurate for those who get involved with drug consumption. A visit to Yue Man Square, in the old industrial area of Kwun Tong, will reveal groups of old men with haunted eyes and frail bodies gathered around, wasting their days on card games.
Many of these were notable triad players some two or three decades ago, with their power and ability to threaten people long gone with their declining health. Twice a day, this impotent human wreckage shuffles off to collect their methadone.
This place is the boneyard for old triads.
With the possible exception of the Wo Hop To, these days triad command structures are much looser, with multiple Dragon Heads leading to a networked arrangement. Some groups have even totally opted out of the defined roles, forming matrix-type models for their operations. Adopting these flexible structures has resulted in loosening control and loyalties within groups, with young pretenders and hotheads more likely to challenge the bosses, and independent actions are taking place.
The thinking triad bosses recognise this means more police attention and disruption to their income flows. Therefore, they seek to mitigate this by either restraining their members or occasionally leaking information to the Police. The attack on a well-known journalist in March 2014 prompted sustained police action against elements of the Wo Shing Wo group, with frequent raids on bars, nightclubs and other commercial interests seen to be connected to the group.
This effort was so effective that it compromised the group's cash flows, as the public opted to stay away from venues seen as Wo Shing Wo affiliates. With income hit, the Wo Shing Wo sought to distance itself from the attack.
The old triad structures have entirely disappeared in many regards. Today, at the most mundane level, the relationship is between the 'Big Brother' and his immediate followers. The Big Brother may have an affiliation above him, but he may not. Further, the groups adopt names such as 'Jordan Market Wo Shing Wo' to indicate their geographical home.
Likewise, the complicated initiation ceremonies of the past have largely disappeared in favour of something relatively quick.
I get the impression that the public, with their perceptions framed by the media and movies, believes that triads are constantly engaged in highly lucrative and exciting criminal activity. The truth is much more prosaic. As an illustration, in April 2013, Tsuen Wan Police District dealt with an escalating dispute between Sun Yee On and Wo Shing Wo over distributing rice boxes to workers at the Science Park in Shatin.
A local Wo Shing Wo figure monopolised rice box supply, dispatching them from his Tsuen Wan-cooked food shop to Shatin. Sun Yee On characters in Shatin felt this was an affront to their authority, as they claimed control of the area. Threats were made and ignored, and then the Sun Yee On acted by roughing up the Wo Shing Wo guys and dropping off the rice boxes. After a failed negotiation attempt, a car was rammed into the Tsuen Wan shop. We soon rounded up all involved whilst the rice box business passed on to someone else.
Other cases involved one gang attacking another over the fact that a 16-year-old girl had switched her affections. It's hardly the stuff of big league players; nonetheless, these incidents could prove serious as the bravado of the attack can get out of hand with terrible consequences.
The triads do enjoy some steady incomes from extorting PLB drivers and vulnerable shopkeepers and by providing bouncing services at nightclubs. But the more astute have taken advantage of the burgeoning gambling scene in Macau: running private rooms catering for high rollers, whilst their foot soldiers profit from loansharking, debt collection, and associated activities. Those with solid connections on the Mainland have sought to focus their operations in lucrative areas, with semi-legal enterprises connected to corrupt officials.
The events of 9/11 were to have a profound impact on the operations of the triads. In the scramble to appease a wounded and belligerent America, countries enforced money laundering legislation or enacted harsher regimes to cut off terrorist money. As a byproduct of these initiatives, criminal gangs, including the triads, suddenly found it more challenging to move their illicit funds around.
The draconian powers given to law enforcement could work locally, with street-level toughs suddenly having to explain how they came about their income without regular employment. Such measures began to hit the front-line triads hard as each Police District selected a target, investigated, prosecuted and then moved on to the next.
More than ever, the triads understood the importance of keeping a low profile to avoid unwelcome attention from the Police or the media. One triad boss candidly revealed that money laundering laws caused him significant worry. In response, he sought to turn legitimate as he assessed the risks as too high.
The use of other asian gangs or vulnerable groups was adopted to minimise the risk of exposure. Pakistani gangs are employed for fighing and attacks on rivals, while domestic helpers are duped into money laundering or as drug couriers. As such, the triads continue to evolve.
Now, it is a foolhardy police officer who purports to have 'smashed the triads.' In reality, the battle is constant, shifting, full of challenges and must be relentless. However, the statistics are showing a steady decline in triad-related activity. Whilst these figures only tell part of the story, I have heard much anecdotal evidence to suggest a decrease in activity. This information includes shopkeepers remarking they experienced no soliciting of lucky money over Chinese New Year, whilst even sex workers (always a vulnerable group) have reported fewer attempts to extort them.
In the late 1980s, the government ran a triad renunciation scheme. Triads could have their history reviewed and their record expunged by a tribunal, allowing them a fresh start. The scheme operated for about two and half years before it closed. Some 1,100 triad members applied to renounce their allegiance, although only 600-odd succeeded. Some were motivated by a desire to leave Hong Kong with the approach of 1997, opting into the scheme to clear their records before recommencing their activities overseas. Some foreign governments took a dim view as the scheme effectively allowed Hong Kong-based triads to cover their tracks before heading overseas.
On a related note, I've seen ill-considered and naive attempts by well-meaning church groups to intervene with young triads. Some may have turned away from crime, but in one instance, a Christian group adopted a young triad into their congregation and sought to protect him from police attention.
We received a steady stream of letters asserting the young man had seen the light and had foresworn his evil ways. Meanwhile, he was trafficking drugs at group discussion sessions when not busy de-flowering the young ladies. The Pastor scolded us for the arrest of this convert and never had the decency to apologise when the truth came out.
Notably, a good number of triad leaders purport to be devout Christians. This phenomenon was undoubtedly seen in the 1900s, while even in modern Hong Kong, a few triad bosses have talked about their religious views. Cynical people may argue that the Church offers some form of forgiveness for the lives these men lead. Understanding the motivation behind such conflicting beliefs and behaviours would be interesting.
In summary, the triads were never the monolithic institutions with central commands that the media sought to portray. The reality is more complex, dynamic and intriguing as it evolves in the modern world. These days, the thinking triads seek to minimise their exposure to law enforcement, increasingly turning to legitimate businesses to supplement and mask illegal activities. They are always ready to use their muscle when the situation merits. Control of the on-street thug element of the triads is declining, leading to increased segmentation. This evolution presents new challenges for the Police as they seek to keep triad activity in check.
A few triad individuals have gained a position in society that accords them respectability and acceptance in what passes for polite company. These men appear on the surface to have foregone their old ways, using power and money to gain influence instead of strong-arm tactics and threats. Whether they have detached themselves from their former triad connections is debatable.
Returning to my opening observation, the vast majority of triad members don't make the transition to a 'better tomorrow.' This assessment is exceptionally accurate for those who get involved with drug consumption. A visit to Yue Man Square, in the old industrial area of Kwun Tong, will reveal groups of old men with haunted eyes and frail bodies gathered around, wasting their days on card games.
Many of these were notable triad players some two or three decades ago, with their power and ability to threaten people long gone with their declining health. Twice a day, this impotent human wreckage shuffles off to collect their methadone.
This place is the boneyard for old triads.
January 2021
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