Chinese tourist fined $9,000 for flying drone over Singapore's Marina Bay

Zhong Zhensheng, 68, pleaded guilty to three offenses under Singapore's Air Navigation Act at a court on Thursday, The Straits Times reported.

He and his wife arrived in Singapore as tourists on June 25.

Later that day, Zhong arrived at Marina Barrage to fly his drone because he wanted to take aerial photographs of Marina Bay, home to many skyscrapers, luxury hotels and giant shopping malls.

According to police, he took 38 photos on two flights with the drone, with the flights reaching a maximum altitude of 148m above mean sea level.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore detected his drone and reported the incident to the police.

Marina Barrage was listed as a protected area under Singapore’s Air Navigation Act, meaning anyone operating a drone in the area for recreational purposes above 60m above sea level is required to obtain a permit.

Under the current regulations, operating drones without a permit within designated areas, such as within a five-kilometer radius of airports or air force bases, restricted zones, or protected areas, or exceeding 200 feet above sea level, is illegal.

Those breaking the law could face fines of up to S$50,000 (US$37,200), a maximum two-year jail term, or both.

Zhong told the court he did not see any signs in the Marina Barrage area which prohibited drone flying so he thought the area was safe to operate the drone there, Dimsum Daily news site reported.