16 odd things that are illegal in Singapore
Knowing the local laws of a country can save you from getting fined or arrested.
In Singapore, feeding pigeons will cost you $500, walking in the nude at home is illegal, and selling gum could land you two years in jail.
We've put together a list of 16 things you might be surprised to find are illegal in the country, from singing offensive songs to spitting.
An earlier version of this post was written by Noah Plaue.
1. Selling gum
Flickr/Veronica Aguilar
Penalties are subject to rise with each conviction, but certain chewing gums that have medical benefits will be allowed.
2. Annoying someone with a musical instrument
Flickr/Pete
Singapore's statutes state that playing an instrument in a public place in "a manner as to cause or be likely to cause annoyance to any person lawfully using a public road or in any public place shall be guilty of an offense" that includes a fine of up to $1,000.
3. Flying a kite that interferes with public traffic
Flickr/Noel Y. C.
You can get a fine of up to $5,000 if you happen to be flying a kite or "playing any game" that gets in the way of traffic in any public road.
4. Singing
If you're caught singing or uttering songs that have either obscene lyrics or obscene "ballads" in any public place, you'll face a punishment of imprisonment for up to three months, a fine, or even both.
5. Spitting
Flickr/ayeshamus
6. Distribution of "obscene" materials
The distribution of any materials deemed "obscene" is prohibited in Singapore. Any violation of this - whether it is photographs, a DVD, books, or figures - can get you up to three months in jail, a fine, or both.
7. Connecting to another user's Wi-Fi
Flickr/Kanghee Rhee
8. Forgetting to flush the toilet
Flickr/dirtyboxface
9. Walking in the nude at home
Wandering around your house nude with any open curtains can land you a fine of $2,000, imprisonment for three months, or both. Both being nude in public and being nude in a private place where you are exposed to the public are considered public nuisances.
10. Feeding pigeons
Flickr/KayVee.INC
11. Urinating in a public elevator
In Singapore, some public elevators come equipped with Urine Detection Devices that set off an alarm and close the doors when any odor or urine is detected until the police arrive.
12. Littering
You shouldn't litter in any country and it isn't uncommon for littering to be against the law, but in Singapore, you'll find yourself paying a $1,000 fine for it.
13. Graffiti
Flickr/Ton Nolles
In Singapore, vandalism can get you both arrested and caned. Singapore's vandalism laws first shocked the media in 1994, after an American teenager received a caning as punishment for destroying cars and public property. Earlier this year, two men visiting the country also faced prison time and caning for painting graffiti on a public train.
14. Taking drugs before you enter the country
Penalties for drug possession in Singapore range from fines as high as $20,000 to 10 years in prison. In certain cases, if the amount of the drug is high enough, the punishment can even be a death penalty. Singapore officials have the right to conduct anonymous drug tests without a warrant, so any drugs taken before you enter the country can still put you at risk.
15. Same-sex relations
Attempts were made last year to change the Singaporean laws which forbid two members of the same gender from being able to have sexual relations, but unfortunately the regulation still stands. The punishment for gay sex in Singapore is a two-year jail term.
16. Jaywalking
Flickr/Elvert Barnes
- A couple accidentally shipped their cat in an Amazon return package. It arrived safely 6 days later, hundreds of miles away.
- A centenarian who starts her day with gentle exercise and loves walks shares 5 longevity tips, including staying single
- 2 states where home prices are falling because there are too many houses and not enough buyers
- "To sit and talk in the box...!" Kohli's message to critics as RCB wrecks GT in IPL Match 45
- 7 Nutritious and flavourful tiffin ideas to pack for school
- India's e-commerce market set to skyrocket as the country's digital economy surges to USD 1 Trillion by 2030
- Top 5 places to visit near Rishikesh
- Indian economy remains in bright spot: Ministry of Finance
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market