Hong Kong vs Singapore in tackling bad behaviour
Por Yonden Lhatoo — South China Morning Post – News feed
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Just Saying Yonden Lhatoo Hong Kong vs Singapore in tackling bad behaviour
It’s not a competition, but a comparison and a call for a spanking rather than caning
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Yonden Lhatoo Yonden Lhatoo is Managing Editor at the South China Morning Post. Published: 9:30am, 3 Oct 2026
Singapore is doing something about uncivilised behaviour on public buses. The city state has started enforcing new regulations that carry an immediate fine of up to S$500 (US$390) if you put your feet up on seats, play loud audio on your phone or make a nuisance of yourself in other ways such as eating, drinking and littering.
This aligns with existing rules governing passenger conduct on Singapore’s MRT railway system . Did you know we have long had similar regulations for Hong Kong’s MTR network under its own by-laws ? Probably not, because nobody cares, but they do exist.
For instance, playing audio loudly on trains is punishable by a fine of up to HK$2,000 (US$250). The same penalty applies for uncouth behaviour such as placing your feet on seats and for ignoring eating or drinking bans.
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