Now I know we are only staying in Singapore for a brief day and a half; however, that is more than enough time to accidentally get into trouble if you’re not careful. Singapore is well known for being clean, but as well as it’s strange laws which keeps it that way. Although it is a democratic country, the current governing body PAP favors security over freedom.
Here are some of the hefty fines that you might be charged if you’re doing one of these things:
- Selling gum – fine: up to as high as $100,000 or 2 years in jail
- Flying a kite – fine: 5,000
- Spitting in public – fine: 1,000
- Connecting to another person’s wifi – fine: $10,000, 3 years in jail, or both
- Forgetting to flush the toilet – fine: $150
- Walking nude at home – fine: $2,000
Information obtained from: http://www.businessinsider.com/things-that-are-illegal-in-singapore-2015-7
For more laws you can check out these bloggers’ websites (caution: they may have some sensitive sexual content):
- http://thesmartlocal.com/read/10-weird-singapore-laws
- adventuriousmiriam
Courtney Ukena says
Thanks Kristina for giving us all of this insight into Singapore. I think it’s hilarious all of the strange laws that everywhere has; except in Singapore, everything is very strict. And not being able to fly a kite or mooching off of someone’s wifi is not something that I think should be always against the law. Also, thanks for attaching the link that you found all of these bizarre laws!
Kristina Lor says
You’re welcome!
Joshua Finch says
Thanks for letting us know about all these rules. Some of them are unbelievable. Walking at home nude is a fine!!! That’s crazy. You think some of these would be hard to prove, but they obviously must if they have these rules in place. I think some rules are really good to keeping the country clean, but you’re right they are going for security over freedom and some of the rules would drive me crazy. It is as though they view gum as drugs with the rules for selling it. Very bizarre
Kristina Lor says
I think when we get there we’ll find that their society is very orderly. Which is doable partially because of their size.
Gregory Johnson says
Different country, different rules. The one that really stood out for me was the fine for walking around nude in your own home. Could you imagine the amount of money the US could make off of that. Also, how do they find out if you did or not, Do your neighbors rat you out to the authorities? But they are the rules of a different culture and society, so there is bound to be some odd laws.
Kristina Lor says
I was wondering the same thing about the nude one…probably yes if someone reports you wandering you around in your own house. As they say “When in Rome…” 🙂
Mengyao Wang says
This is totally interesting. I knew there were strict laws about gum, but I didn’t know flying a kite is prohibited. I just hope we don’t break a hidden law that we don’t know about while we are there.
Kristina Lor says
Me too lol that’s why I did some research a little for it. Knowledge is power!
Nicole Johnson says
Thanks for sharing this Christina! First thing I thought of was nobody leave their wifi open to auto connect! Singapore is well known to be one of the safest and cleanest places to visit for a reason. In order to hold that title you must uphold the standards necessary to achieve that title. Hopefully we won’t have an incidences and everyone has a great time while we are there.
Kristina Lor says
I’ll just pretend you spelled my name correctly…lol. I’m very excited for Singapore because it’s easy to travel in a day yet has interesting sights to see and a different culture to experience.