Let’s say you’re in Singapore for a holiday.
It’s a nice and breezy day, and you’re out for shopping at Orchard Road.
But then you unknowingly do something silly
and illegal, then end up being picked up by a police officer. Not a very
nice situation to be in.
This article highlights some of the common
‘unknown’ laws in Singapore which every visitor should take note of. Make
sure you don't break these laws and ruin your holiday!
Bring in Chewing Gum
Don’t chew gum or bring gum into Singapore.
Singapore's ban on chewing gum has often been cited by critics as an example of
the city-state's overly strict laws.
Guess what? The penalty for smuggling gum into the
country is one year in jail, and a S$10,000 fine.
Eat on the MRT
Another thing to take note of is to never, ever eat on the Mass-Rapid-Transit (MRT) system. There is a hefty S$500 fine is you eat anything on the train – so if you’re hungry, be sure to leave the eating when you’re off the train.
This one is extremely embarrassing if you’re caught. Anyone caught littering in Singapore’s streets will be issued a Corrective Work Order (CWO). That means having to wear a CWO jacket and being made to sweep public roads or clean up litter as a form of community service.
Smoke in Air-Conditioned Places
If you smoke, be sure you step outside a building to smoke. Smoking within air-conditioned areas in Singapore is not allowed. There is a hefty fine if you do it – so don’t let the urge to smoking cost you.
Jaywalk
Jaywalking across public roads is also not allowed. While the traffic police are usually not very vigilant in this area – if you are caught, be prepared to pay a hefty fine too. So remember, no jaywalking – use the traffic lights or overhead bridges.
Conclusion
Singapore has been known to be a place full of strict laws. While some may not agree to them, it’s best to comply if you’re here on holiday – so that your holiday experience is the best it can be.
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