Knowing the local laws of a country can save you from getting fined or arrested. In Singapore, feeding pigeons will cost you$500, walking in the nude at home is illegal, andselling gum could land you two years in jail.We've put together a list of 16things you might be surprised to find are illegal in the country, from singing offensive songs to spitting.An earlier version of this post was written by Noah Plaue.1. Selling gumAccording to Singapore Statutes Online, the first-time penalty for the selling of gumcan be as high as $100,000 or a prison sentence of up to two years.Penalties are subject to rise with each conviction, but certainchewing gums that have medical benefits will be allowed.2. Annoying someone with a musical instrumentSingapore's statutesstate 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 trafficYou can get a fine of up to $5,000 if you happen to be flying a kite or "playing any game" that gets in the way of traffic in any public road.4. SingingIf youre caught singing or uttering songs that have either obscene lyrics or obsceneballads in any public place, youll face a punishment of imprisonment for up to three months, a fine, or even both.5. SpittingSpitting isnt the classiest act, but do it in any public place in Singaporeincluding coffee shops, markets, eating houses, school houses, theaters, public buildings, omnibuses, or public roadsandyou'll be slapped with a fine of up to $1,000.6. Distribution of "obscene" materialsThe distribution of any materials deemed "obscene"is prohibited in Singapore. Any violation of thiswhether it is photographs, a DVD, books, or figurescan get you up to three months in jail, a fine, or both.7. Connecting to another user's Wi-FiSingapores Computer Misuse and Cybersecurity Act defines using another persons Wi-Fi network as hacking. If youre 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 toiletWhile 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 homeWandering around your house nude with any open curtains can land you a fine of $2,000, imprisonment for three months, or both. Both being nude in public and being nude in a private place where you are exposed to the public are considered public nuisances.10. Feeding pigeonsYou 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 elevatorIn Singapore, some public elevators come equipped withUrine Detection Devicesthat set off an alarm and close the doors when any odor or urine is detected until the police arrive. 12. LitteringYou shouldnt litter in any country and it isnt uncommon for littering to be against the law, but in Singapore, youll find yourself paying a $1,000 fine for it. 13. GraffitiIn Singapore, vandalism can get you both arrested and caned. Singapores vandalism laws first shocked the media in 1994, after an American teenager received acaning as punishment for destroying cars and public property. Earlier this year, two menvisiting the country also faced prison time and caning for painting graffiti on a public train.14. Taking drugs before you enter the countryPenalties for drug possession in Singapore range from fines as high as $20,000 to 10 years in prison. In certain cases, if the amount of the drug is high enough, the punishment can even be a death penalty. Singapore officials have the right to conduct anonymous drug tests without a warrant, so any drugs taken before you enter the country can still put you at risk.15.Same-sex relationsAttempts were made last year to change the Singaporean laws which forbid two members of the same gender from being able to have sexual relations, but unfortunately the regulation still stands. The punishment for gay sex in Singapore is a two-year jail term.16. JaywalkingIn 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 youre caught jaywalking twice.SEE ALSO:9 ways to embarrass yourself in SingaporeFOLLOW US!Business Insider Travel is on TwitterJoin the conversation about this storyNOW WATCH: These 5 guys from Singapore have mastered the art of card shuffling
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