14 Facts You Have to Be Aware of Before Visiting Singapore - Getting Closer to God's Voice 1985

By Margaret W. Lavigne 

Alcohol Policy in Singapore

In public spaces, alcohol drinking is prohibited by the law from 10.30 p.m. to 7 a.m. due to the riot in Little India in 2013. A permit will be required to drink alcohol during restricted hours in public places. People are allowed to drink alcohol in licensed premises such as restaurants and pubs. 

The Liquor (Supply and Consumption) Act prohibits the consumption of alcohol in public places as well as the sale of alcohol from retail outlets between 10.30 pm and 7 am. At the bars, a 330ml  bottle of beer in Singapore costs you roughly around  11.40 SGD and you can get one the supermarket around 2.60 SGD.  You are able to get street food in Singapore for a very low cost. As to the drinks, happy hour bargains can be found.

Chewing Gum Policy in Singapore

Singapore has taken a strong stance against chewing gum since 2004 unless it is used for medical purposes such as nicotine chewing gum. And you can get chewing gum for therapeutic purposes from a doctor or registered pharmacist.

 

Tourists that visit Singapore are allowed to bring chewing gum and the maximum for every person is limited to two packs. If you carry more than 2 packs as legalized, you will be susceptible to be charged with “gum smuggling,” and you will be put into jail for 1 year with $5,500 fine.

 

Do not spit in Singapore 
Either throwing cigarette butts on the street or spitting is banned in Singapore. Both infractions come with significant fines. In Singapore, jaywalking is illegal. For the first offense, you will be fined  $50. Repeat offenders will be be charged $1000 and put into jail for 3 months.

 

Do not perform sexual acts in Public 

Kissing in public is acceptable under Singapore law.  But,  sexual acts in public is prohibited under section 20 of the same Act.

 

 

Can I take a foldable bike into MRT Stations in Singapore?
Foldable bicycles/PMDs must not exceed 120cm by 70cm by 40cm when folded. Foldable bicycles/PMDs must be folded in MRT/LRT stations so as buses and trains.

 

Attention: Only one foldable bicycle/PMD is allowed on a bus at any given time. MRT train services here operate 24 hours on Wednesday.

 

Are pets allowed to enter into MRT?
Service animals such as guide dogs are permitted. But, photo identification is required. Again, guide dogs are legally permitted to enter Singapore’s public transport system. They are even allowed to enter halal restaurants in Singapore too.

 

Casino Control Act in Singapore 

The legal gambling age in Singapore is 21. Tourists are able to visit casinos in Singapore for free with a passport. Nevertheless, Singapore citizens have to pay for the entry fees that permanent residents have to pay for $100 for every 24 hours in casinos and $2,000 annual membership. 

 

The first casino in Singapore was located within the Resorts World Sentosa opening on February 14  in 2010. According to the data, the combined gross gaming revenue of two casinos in Singapore had reached S$7.66 billion by 2013. 

 

Singapore only two casinos here. Since opening, the gambling revenue of casinos here have consistently placed in the top 10 worldwide. The casinos offer many options of hot coffee for free for the gamblers.  In consideration of strict laws here, it’s probably super safe for the tourist to have fun here. 

 

The laws in Singapore prohibits littering, jaywalking and graffiti. Singapore also has legislation against flushing public toilets and urinating in elevators. Evidently, people behave well because of the laws and the pubic toilets are tidy without tissues littering around the floor. That’s very impressive. 

 

Further, underground betting is prohibited by the Betting Act. Only legalized organizations is allowed to conduct public betting in Singapore, such as Singapore Pools. 

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