16 odd things that are illegal in Singapore

An earlier version of this post was written by Noah Plaue.

1. Selling gum

According to Singapore Statutes Online, the first-time penalty for the selling of gum can be as high as $100,000 or a prison sentence of up to two years.

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

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

4. Singing

5. Spitting

Spitting isn't the classiest act, but do it in any public place in Singapore - including coffee shops, markets, eating houses, school houses, theaters, public buildings, omnibuses, or public roads - and you'll be slapped with a fine of up to $1,000.

6. Distribution of "obscene" materials

7. Connecting to another user's Wi-Fi

Singapore's Computer Misuse and Cybersecurity Act defines using another person's Wi-Fi network as hacking. If you're caught doing the deed, you can be fined a whopping $10,000, face up to three years in jail, or both.

8. Forgetting to flush the toilet

While flushing a public toilet is common courtesy, in Singapore, there is an actual law against it. If you're caught leaving without flushing the toilet, you're looking at a fine of around $150.

9. Walking in the nude at home

10. Feeding pigeons

You might not think it's a big deal to toss your leftover sandwich bread to pigeons, but think twice when you're in Singapore because feeding the birds here will cost you $500.

11. Urinating in a public elevator

12. Littering

13. Graffiti

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

15. Same-sex relations

16. Jaywalking

In Singapore, jaywalking is defined as crossing the road within 50 meters (164 feet) of a crossing zone. Jaywalkers can receive a $20 fine on the spot, a fine of up to $1,000, or three months of jail time. The punishment doubles to a fine of up to $2,000 and six months in jail if you're caught jaywalking twice.

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