Netizen in Singapore shocked at 'terrible' tourists who threw trash into river, says they 'should be embarrassed, fined, & made to pick up’

SINGAPORE: On Nov 8, a local Reddit user took to the platform to post a video of a group of young tourists who allegedly threw trash into the Singapore River.

According to u/Bikdikeater, the incident occurred that day while the tourists were at Our Village open bar in Clarke Quay.

The post author, who described the incident in the caption as “terrible” and “disgusting,” added, “Absolute disrespectful behaviour. These people should be embarrassed, fined, and made to pick up the trash.

In the video, a woman’s voice can be heard saying, “They did. They threw the trash into the river.”

The camera then pans to a take-away cup from McDonald’s, along with what appears to be a paper napkin, that was in the water.

The actual incident of trash-throwing, however, was not caught on video. 

The rest of the video shows the large group of young Caucasians at the eatery, two of whom were seen taking cigarettes out while standing at their table. One of them lights up his cigarette there and then.

While throwing trash improperly or littering is illegal in Singapore, throwing waste, or any foreign matter into a river, reservoir, canal, or waterway in Singapore is an offence under the Environmental Public Health Act and carries heavier fines. First-time offenders may be fined as much as S$2,000, and repeat offenders may be made to pay a maximum of S$10,000.

Moreover, offenders who are 16 years old or older may also be ordered by the court to perform public cleaning work, including picking up litter in public areas.

As for lighting cigarettes at the eatery, this is also not allowed under Singapore law, as smoking is strictly prohibited inside all entertainment establishments, including those that are open-air. There are designated areas for people who wish to smoke, and those who are caught smoking face fines starting at S$200.

Reddit users commenting on the video had similar reactions to the post author.

“Disgusting behaviour,” one wrote.

“Apparently, they have no respect for the country they are visiting,” another added, though others chimed in to say that it’s also possible that the young people in the group study or work in Singapore.

“One guy is wearing a grey jacket with the words ESSEC, which is a French biz school at one north. Could be French or other foreign students,” a commenter pointed out.

“We spent decades cleaning that up,” a Reddit user pointed out.  /TISG

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