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FAST FACTS
Useful numbers
- Police - 999
- Time - 1711
- Touristline - 1800-831-331
- Singapore Tourism Board -
1800-736-2000
- Hospital 24 hr Emergency
Assistance - (Mount Elizabeth) 6737- 2666 ,
(Gleneagles) 6473-7222
Banks
Most banks are open
from 9:30am - 3pm or 4pm on weekdays and 9:30am
- 11am
on Saturdays. The Development Bank of Singapore (DBS) is open until 3pm on Saturdays. The Overseas
Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC) is open on Sundays from 11:30am
- 4pm.
Drug Abuse
The death penalty is
mandatory for those convicted of trafficking, manufacturing, importing or
exporting more than 15g of Heroin, 30g of Morphine, 30g of Cocaine, 500g of
Cannabis, 200g of Cannabis resin or 1.2Kg of opium. Posession
of such quantities is deemed as prima facie evidence of trafficking. For
unauthorized consumption, there is a maximum of 10 years imprisonment or a
fine of up to SGD20,000 or both.
Smoking
Smoking in public
buses, taxis, lifts, theatres, cinemas, government offices, air-conditioned
restaurants and shopping centres is against the
law. First-time offenders may pay fines of up to a maximum of SGD1,000. While it is an offence to smoke in most
air-conditioned areas, smoking is not prohibited in air-conditioned pubs,
discos, karaoke bars and other nightspots.
Littering and Chewing
Gum!
Littering in any form
is subject to a fine of up to SGD1,000 for
first-time offenders and up to SGD2,000 fine and a stint of corrective work
order cleaning up a public place for repeat offenders. As an extension of
the law against littering, the import and sale of chewing gum is
prohibited.
Drinking Water
Singapore's water is clean and safe to
drink from the tap! It does not even need to be boiled to render it
potable.
Climate
Located just 2degrees
north of the equator, Singapore enjoys a warm tropical
climate that is relatively calm and consistent throughout the year. Average
Daily Temperature is 26.7C with a mean temperature of 30.8C occurring in
the afternoons and a minimum of 23.8C just before dawn. Rainfall is most
abundant during the NorthEast Monsoon season from
November to December. Much of the rain falls in sudden showers. February is
usually the sunniest month while December is often the wettest! However,
July and August are the hottest months when average temperatures are at
their peak!
Tipping and Taxing
Tipping is not a way
of life in Singapore. It is prohibited at the
airport and discouraged in hotels and restaurants where there is a 10%
service charge.
In most food and
beverages outlets, prices are quoted as nett or
+++. The +++ means an additional 10% service charge and 7% GST (Goods and Services tax).
Changi Airport imposes a departure tax of
SGD15.00 and this is payable upon check-in at the airport.
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