Laws in Singapore You Must Know Before You Go

Singapore is one of the safest and cleanest countries in the world because there are a lot of very strict and unusual laws. And as a tourist, you must obey the laws in Singapore as well. The city-state places a great deal of importance on maintaining order and discipline, so corporal punishment is widely accepted to enforce the laws in Singapore.

Disobeying the laws in Singapore can result in expensive fines, caning, jail time, or worse. The Lion City is also known as the “fine city” because of the crazy amount of laws and the resulting fines. And caning, which is basically like whipping, is a common form of corporal punishment in Singapore. It’s used as a disciplinary measure in schools, the military, at home and in prisons.

ILLEGAL ACTIONS & ITEMS IN SINGAPORE

(that can result in expensive fines or prison)

IMPORTING THESE ITEMS: Gum, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, alcohol, porn, objects that look like weapons, and pirated DVDS.

You can bring some alcohol in to Singapore, unless you’re arriving from Malaysia.

DRUGS (Singapore has some of the strictest drug laws in the world)

They practice the death penalty for drug trafficking, but possession of drugs is also a really big problem. And they make this loud in clear at the arrivals in Changi airport.

laws in singapore — The customs form for Singapore

Moreover, they also have the right to drug test anyone at any time, so if you arrive in Singapore with drugs in your system, that’s a big problem.

IRRITATING OTHERS IN PUBLIC – This includes smoking outside of designated areas, not flushing the toilet, singing (especially lyrics with swear words) and playing an instrument.

GUM – This includes chewing, importing and selling gum. Spitting gum on the ground is an extremely offensive double crime because littering is also illegal.

LITTERING

SPITTING

FEEDING PIGEONS

MAKING NOISE AFTER 10:30PM

SELLING AND DRINKING ALCOHOL AFTER 10:30PM – Unless at a restaurant or bar with a permit.

JAYWALKING – This is a stark contrast compared to other Southeast Asian countries where you are expected to jaywalk with dozens of motorbikes speeding around you from every direction.

VANDALISM

PORN – This includes sassy swimsuit magazines.

EATING, DRINKING AND BRINGING DURIAN ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT

durian singapore laws — Durian is popular, but not on transit because it stinks

CONNECTING TO ANOTHER PERSON’S WI-FI

CRITICIZING THE GOVERNMENT

DEMONSTRATIONS AND PROTESTS

E-CIGARETTES AND VAPING – Smoking cigarettes is expensive and it’s illegal almost everywhere.

HOMOSEXUALITY – There is a large LGBTQ community in Singapore, with loads of gay bars, clubs and events; however, homosexuality is illegal (for men only) and punishable with up to 2 years imprisonment. So this is a bit confusing. However, the anti-gay law is rarely enforced and efforts are being made to get rid of it. But make sure you avoid public displays of affection, however, that’s standard for straight couples as well.

Attempted suicide has recently been decriminalized.