Tourists to Singapore dare not litter for fear of being fined

By Khanh Minh   October 18, 2024 | 03:19 pm PT
Tourists to Singapore dare not litter for fear of being fined
Tourists pose for photos with the Merlion statue, a symbol of Singapore, October 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Khanh Minh
During my recent visit to Singapore, some tourists in my group from Vietnam went as far as hiding used tissues in their backpacks, too afraid to throw them away in public for fear of being caught on camera and fined.

Upon landing at Changi Airport, we were immediately surprised by the countless warning and instruction signs along the streets and tourist attractions, quickly understanding why Singapore is often referred to as the "Fine City".

No-littering signs are ubiquitous across the island nation, and our tour guide frequently reminded us not to litter, as first-time offenders can face fines of up to S$1,000 (US$761). Repeat offenders could be fined up to S$2,000 and may even be assigned Corrective Work Orders as a penalty.

While visiting the Muslim Quarter, some people in the group, after wiping their faces with tissues, placed them in their backpacks and waited until they found a trash can to dispose of them properly.

One of my friends, a smoker, was also warned by the tour guide that smoking in public parks or restricted areas could result in a fine of up to S$1,000. The guide advised him to carefully check the signs along the streets to see if smoking was permitted in the area.

Thanks to these strict laws, Singapore has gained a reputation as one of the world's safest and cleanest cities.

In 2021, it was voted the world's cleanest and greatest city by the British magazine Time Out, which surveyed 27,000 city dwellers globally.

*The reader's opnions are personal and do not necessarily match VnExpress's viewpoints.

 
 
go to top