Hong Kong restaurant apologizes for denying entry to Paralympic gold medalist in wheelchair

By Hoang Nguyen November 7, 2024 | 03:00 am PT

A Hong Kong restaurant has issued an apology after Paralympic gold medalist Ho Yuen-kei reported being denied service by a staff member who claimed her wheelchair would disrupt other diners.

Ho Yuen-kei at the Paris Paralympics 2024. Photo by Hong Kong Paralympic Committee

Ho, a boccia athlete, said on Tuesday that she was refused entry by the Thai restaurant Ayutthaya in Causeway Bay, the South China Morning Post reported.

According to Ho, a staff member told her that "there was no space for a wheelchair."

When Ho clarified that her wheelchair was compact, the employee insisted it would still obstruct other customers.

Ho noted that the restaurant still had lots of space and few customers at that time.

"No wonder fewer and fewer people spend money in Hong Kong. The service is so bad now," Ho wrote on social media after the incident.

Ken Ng Ka-hung, the manager of Ayutthaya, has publicly apologized for the incident and pledged to enhance service to accommodate wheelchair users more effectively.

Ho, 30, participated in the Paris Paralympics 2024 and clinched a goal medal in the women's individual BC3 event.