Singapore raises H1N1 flu alert

Singapore raises H1N1 flu pandemic alert from yellow to orange

Imposing a home quarantine order on those who have recently travelled to Mexico.

Under the orange alert, infection control measures will be stepped up further. Temperature screenings and checks for flu-like symptoms will be mandatory at hospitals, and patients will be allowed only one visitor each time.

Hospital staff must also wear full protective gear in all areas with patient contact.

For more information on H1N1 flu, members of the public can access MOH's website at www.moh.gov.sg or call its hotline at 1800-333 9999.

Courtesy of Channelnewsasia, for further reports, kindly visit CNA's website
Click here

Singapore - Indonesia by ferry

To/from Indonesia by ferry

To/from Batam:

HarbourFront FT - Batam Centre
HarbourFront FT - Harbour Bay
HarbourFront FT - Sekupang
HarbourFront FT - Waterfront City
Tanah Merah FT - Nongsapura

Operators at Harbourfront include:

* Penguin, tel. +65-62714866 in HarbourFront; +62-778-467574 in Batam Centre; +62-778-321636 in Sekupang; +62-778-381280 in Waterfront City. Virtually hourly ferries to/from Batam Centre and Sekupang, fewer ferries to/from Waterfront City. $16/20 one-way/return before taxes and fuel surcharge.



* Indo Falcon, tel. +65-62783167. Hourly ferries to Batam Centre, fewer to Waterfront City. This company does not operate to/from Sekupang. Similar fares.
* Berlian/Wave Master, tel. +65-65468830. Operates 16 trips to/from Harbour Bay. Fares are similar to the other companies.



* Dino/Batam Fast, tel. +65-62700311 in Harbourfront; +62-778-467793/470344 in Batam Centre; +62-778-325085/6 in Sekupang; +62-778-381150 in Waterfront City. Also hourly ferries to/from Batam Centre, fewer ferries to/from Sekupang and Waterfront City. $14/20 one-way/return before taxes and surcharges.



At Tanah Merah:

* Dino/Batam Fast, tel. +65-62700311 in Singapore; Tel: +62-778-761071 in Nongsa. Around 8 ferries daily to/from Nongsa, the resort area on the northeastern tip of Batam. $16/22 one-way/return before taxes and surcharges.

To/from Bintan: All ferries for Bintan use Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. For Tanjung Pinang, there are total of 6 ferries a day, increasing to 9 during weekends. $25/35 one-way/return before taxes and surcharges. Operators include:

* Dino/Batam Fast, tel. +65-65426310 in Tanah Merah.
* Penguin, tel. +65-65427105 in Tanah Merah; +62-771-315143 in Tanjung Pinang; +62-770-696120 in Lobam.
* Indo Falcon, tel. +65-65426786 in Tanah Merah
* Berlian/Wave Master, tel. +65-65468830 in Tanah Merah.

For Bintan Resorts (Bandar Bentan Telani), Bintan Resort Ferries, tel. +65-65424369, operates five ferries from Tanah Merah FT on weekdays, increasing to 7 during weekends. $34.60/50.20 one-way/return peak period, $26.60/39.20 one-way/return off-peak including taxes and fuel surcharge.

To/from Karimun: Tanjung Balai is served by Penguin and IndoFalcon from Harbourfront, with six ferries total on weekdays, increasing to 8 during weekends. $24/33 one-way/return including taxes and fuel surcharge.

-information courtesy of wikitravel, subjected to change without prior notification-

Get in by boat

By boat

Ferries link Singapore with neighbouring Indonesian province of Riau Islands, and the Malaysian state of Johor (regular ferry services to Tioman Island were discontinued late in 2003). Singapore has four ferry terminals which handle international ferries: HarbourFront (formerly World Trade Centre) near the southern part of the Central Business District, Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal on the East Coast, as well as Changi Ferry Terminal and Changi Point Ferry Terminal, at the eastern extremity of the island.

Modest-sized cruise ships can use the HarbourFront terminal. (HarbourFront and Tanah Merah are managed and operated by the Singapore Cruise Centre.) Beyond customs and immigration, the terminal links to the HarbourFront shopping mall having many small shops. It is in-turn connected to Vivo, a larger mall with larger stores and a food court. Both malls offer access to the versatile and growing underground rail system (MRT). Both malls have ATMs.

Larger ships must use the commercial port facilities toward the west of the island. (please develop)

Getting to/away from the ferry terminals:

* HarbourFront FT: Located next to HarbourFront MRT station.
* Tanah Merah FT: Get off at Bedok MRT station and catch bus No. 35 to ferry terminal.
* Changi Point FT: Take bus No. 2, 29 or 59 to Changi Village Bus Terminal and walk to the ferry terminal.

-information courtesy of wikitravel, subjected to change without prior notification-

Relocation of embassy in Paris

Relocation of Singapore embassy in Paris, new contacts wef from 4th May 2009.

Embassy of the Republic of Singapore
16 Rue Murillo
75008 Paris
France
Tel：+33-1-56 79 68 00
Fax：+33-1-56 79 68 29
Email：sg.general@orange-business.fr
Emergency contact number: +33-6-75 03 25 55
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am-1pm; 2pm-5pm (Closed on Sat and Sun)

Get in by taxi

By taxi

Singapore is one of the few countries that you can enter or leave by taxi. While normal Singaporean taxis are not allowed to cross into Malaysia and vice versa, specially licensed Singaporean taxis permitted to go to the Kotaraya Terminal or Plaza Seni (only) can be booked from Johor Taxi Service (tel. +65-62967054, $45 one way), while Malaysian taxis, which can go anywhere in Malaysia, can be taken from Queen Street Bus/Taxi temrinal ($40 to charter, or $10/person if you share with others).

Singapore (Queen Street) -> Johor Bahru (Kotaraya Terminal or Plaza Seni)
SGD 10 per head (SGD 40 per car)

In the reverse direction towards Singapore, you can take taxis from Kotaraya to any point in central Singapore or Changi Airport. The main advantage here is that you don't need to lug your stuff (or yourself) through Customs at both ends; you can just sit in the car.

Johor Bahru -> Singapore
RM 15 per head (RM 60 per car)

A combination ride from anywhere in Singapore to anywhere in Malaysia can also be arranged, but you'll need to swap cabs halfway through: this will cost S$50 and up, paid to the Singaporean driver. The most expensive option is to take a limousine taxi specially licensed to take passengers from any point to any destination, but only a few are available and they charge a steep RM150 per trip. Advance booking is highly recommended, tel. +60-7599-1622.

-information courtesy of wikitravel-

H1N1 flu alert level raises

Singapore raises alert level for H1N1 flu

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has elevated Singapore's alert level from "green" to "yellow" to guard against the H1N1 flu.

While there has been no known cases of human H1N1 flu in Singapore, 17 cases have been referred for further medical assessment. 16 have been referred to the Communicable Disease Centre (CDC) and one case was seen at Singapore General Hospital (SGH).

News courtesy of Channel Newsasia, for further reports, kindly visit CNA's website
Click here

Singapore Missions Abroad

Argentina
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore
Viamonte 1145, 7. Piso
Buenos Aires
Email: rloeb@hcgsingapore.com.ar
Tel: (54) 11 4372 6133
Fax: (54) 11 4346 8151

Australia
Singapore High Commission
17 Forster Crescent
Yarralumla ACT 2600
Canberra, Australia
Tel: (61-26) 273 3944
Fax: (61-26) 273 9823

Austria
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore
Raiffeisen Zentral Bank
Osterreich AG, Am Stadtpark 9
A-1030, Wien
Austria
Tel: (43-1) 71707-1250
Fax: (43-1) 71707-1656

Bangladesh
Consulate of the Republic of Singapore
House No. 15, Road No. 68/A
Gulshan-2, Dhaka 1212
Bangladesh
Email address: singcon_dha@sgmfa.gov.sg
Tel: 880-(2) 988-0404, 988-0337
Fax: 880-(2) 988-3666 (General Fax)
Emergency Contact: 001-880-(181) 9412824

Belgium
Embassy of the Republic of Singapore
198 Avenue Franklin Roosevelt, 1050
Brussels, Belgium
Tel: (32-2) 660 2979
Fax: (32-2) 660 8685
Accredited to EC, Holy See, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

Cambodia
Embassy of the Republic of Singapore
No 92 Norodum Boulevard
Phnom Penh
Cambodia
Tel: (855-23) 360 855/6
Fax: (855-23) 210862

Canada (Vancouver)
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore
Suite 1820
999, West Hastings Street
Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 2W2, Canada
Email: singcg_vanc@sgmfa.gov.sg
Tel： 1-(604) 669-5115
Fax：1-(604) 669-5153

Chile
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore
El Regidor 66, 9th Floor
Las Condes, Santiago
Chile
Email: singapore@alessandri.cl
Tel： 56-(2) 787-6000
Fax: 56-(2) 672-6263

China (Beijing)
Embassy of the Republic of Singapore
No. 1 Xiu Shui Bei Jie, (please see location map)
Jian Guo Men Wai, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100600
Telephone: +86-10-6532 1115
Fax: +86-10-6532 9405
E-mail: singemb_bej@sgmfa.gov.sg

China (Guangzhou)
Singapore Consulate-General
Unit 2418, CITIC Plaza Office Tower
233 Tianhe North Road, Tianhe District,
Guangzhou 510613, People’s Republic of China
Tel: +86-20-3891 2345
Fax: +86-20-3891 2933 (Consular), +86-20-3891 2123 (Visa)
E-mail: sin_consulargz@yahoo.com.cn

China (Shanghai)
Singapore Consulate-General
89 Wanshan Road, Shanghai 200336
People's Republic of China
Tel: +86-21-6278 5566
Fax: +86-21-6295 6038, +86-21-6295 6099 (Visa)
E-mail: singcg_sha@sgmfa.gov.sg

China (Xiamen)
Singapore Consulate-General
No. 189, Xiahe Road, #05-07/08, The Bank Centre
Xiamen 361003, Fujian,People's Republic of China
Tel: +86-592-268 4691
Fax: +86-592-268 4694
E-mail: singcg_xmn@sgmfa.gov.sg

China (Chengdu)
Singapore Consulate
31-D First City Plaza, No 308, Shuncheng Street
Chengdu, Sichuan 610017, People's Republic of China
Tel: +86-28-8652 7222
Fax: +86-28-8652 7555
E-mail: chengdu@iesingapore.gov.sg

China (Hong Kong)
Singapore Consulate-General
Unit 901, 9th floor, Admiralty Centre Tower I
18 Harcourt Road, Hong Kong
Tel: +852-2527 2212
Fax: +852-2866 1239
E-mail: singcg_hkg@sgmfa.gov.sg

Chinese Taipei
Singapore Trade Office In Taipei
9th Floor, No. 85, Jen Ai Road, Section 4, Taipei 106, Taiwan
Tel: 886-(2) 2772-1940, 2772-1941, 2772-1942, 2772-1925, 2772-1927
Fax: 886-(2) 2772-1943

Czech Republic (Prague)
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore
Opletalova 27
110 00 Praha 1
Czech Republic
Email: singapore@honoraryconsul.cz
Tel： 420-(2) 240-91385, 240-91388
Fax： 420-(2) 240-91386

Denmark (Copenhagen)
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore
18-20 Snorresgade,
DK-2300,
Copenhagen S, Denmark
Email: as.cph@scan-group.dk
Tel: 45-32 548-360
Fax: 45-32 548-370

Egypt
Embassy of the Republic of Singapore
40 Babel Street
Dokki, 11511, Cairo
Arab Republic of Egypt
Tel: (20-2) 749 0468/5045
Fax: (20-2) 748 1682
Accredited to Jordan, Cyprus and United Arab Emirates.

France
Embassy of the Republic of Singapore
12 Square de l'Avenue Foch
75116 Paris, France
Tel: (33-1) 450 03361
Fax: (33-1) 450 06179

Germany （Berlin）
Embassy of the Republic of Singapore
Friedrichstrasse 200
10117 Berlin
Federal Republic of Germany
Tel: (49-30) 2263 430
Fax: (49-30) 2263 4355

Germany (Munich)
Consulate of the Republic of Singapore
Elisabethstrasse 91
80797 München (Munich)
Email Address: hon.konsulat-singapur.muc@t-online.de
Tel： 49 (89) 5908 2128
Fax： 49 (89) 5908 1200

Germany (Stuttgart)
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore
Badstrasse 98
71336 Waiblingen
Email: hon.konsulat-singapur.stgt@stihl.de
Telephone 001-49-7151-26 3033
Telefax 001-49-7151 26 1120

Greece
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore
10-12 Kifissias Avenue
151 25 Maroussi
Athens
Greece
Tel： 30-2-(10) 684 5072, 683 4875
Fax: 30-2-(10) 684 7660, 683 4416

Hungary (Budapest)
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore
1121 Budapest Szechenyi emlekut 13
Email: singapore@mail.datanet.hu
Tel： (361) 391-9030
Fax: (361) 391-9031

India (Chennai)
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore
17-A North Boag Road
T.Nagar, Chennai- 600017
Tamil Nadu, India
Email: singcon_maa@sgmfa.gov.sg
Tel： 91-(44) 2815-8207, 2815-8208
Fax: 91-(44) 2815-8209
Emergency Contact: 91-98400-33136

India (Mumbai)
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore
152, 14th Floor, Maker Chambers IV
222, Jamnalal Bajaj Road
Nariman Point, Mumbai 400-021, India
Email: singcon_bom@sgmfa.gov.sg
Tel: 91-(22) 2204-3205, 2204-3209
Fax: 91-(22) 2285-5812 (Visa Matters only), 001-91-(22) 2204-3203 ( Non-Visa Matters )

Indonesia (Jakarta)
Embassy of the Republic of Singapore
Block X/4 KAV No 2
Jalan H R Rasuna Said
Kuningan, Jakarta 12950, Indonesia
Tel: (62-21) 520 1489
Fax: (62-21) 520 1486, 520 2320 (consular office)
Emergency Contact: 001-91-98209-79726

Indonesia (Batam)
Consulate of the Republic of Singapore
8th Floor
Sumatera Convention Centre
Jalan Engku Putri, Kav. 01, Batam Centre
Batam, Kepri, Indonesia
Tel： 62 (0778) 470070, 470071
Fax:　62 (0778) 470076

Indonesia (Pekanbaru)
Consulate of the Republic of Singapore
4th Floor, Surya Dumai Group Building,
Jalan Sudirman No. 395, Pekanbaru 28116
Riau, Indonesia
Email: singcon_pku@sgmfa.gov.sg
Tel： 62 (761) 41010
Fax: 62 (761) 43555

Ireland
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore
2 Ely Place Upper,
Dublin 2
Email: ron.bolger@ely.ie
Tel: (353)-1- 669-1700
Fax: (353)-1- 669-1710

Israel
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore
No. 64 Pinkas St.
Tel Aviv, 62157
Israel
Tel: 972-(3) 7513707 ext 115
Fax: 972-(3) 7513706

Japan （Tokyo）
Embassy of the Republic of Singapore
5-12-3 Roppongi
Minato-ku
Tokyo 106-0032, Japan
Tel: (81-3) 3586 9111/2
Fax: (81-3) 3582 1085

Japan (Osaka)
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore
14th Floor, Osaka Kokusai Building
3-13 Azuchimachi 2-Chome
Chuo-ku, Osaka 541-0052
Japan
Tel: 81-(6) 6261-5131, 6261-5132, Visa Enquiries: 81-(6) 6261-5564
Fax: 81-(6) 6261-0338

Jordan
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore
P O Box 940415, Amman 11194
Jordan
1 Mecca Street Toyota Building
Email: consulsg@ctajo.com
Tel： 962-6-553 5514
Fax: 962-6-553 5688

Kazakhstan
Consulate of the Republic of Singapore
Ablai Khan street 79
050000 Almaty
Republic of Kazakhstan
Tel： 7 3272 598874, 3272 590826
Fax: 7 3272 590992

Other Information

Postal Address:
050091 Almaty
Ablai Khan street, 77
Republic of Kazakhstan

Lao People's Democratic Republic
Embassy of the Republic of Singapore
Ban Watnak, Unit 4 Thadeua Road, KM 3, Sisattanak District,
Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic
Email: singemb_vte@sgmfa.gov.sg
Tel: 856-(21) 353-939
Fax: 856-(21) 353-938

Lebanon
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore
Center Sofil, Charles Malek Avenue
Achrafieh, Beirut, Lebanon
P.O.Box 166730
Email: singaporeconsulate@cyberia.net.lb, joehabis@dm.net.lb
Tel： 961-(1) 334-335, 200-786, 200-787
Fax: 961-(1) 201-058

Malaysia
Singapore High Commission
209 Jalan Tun Razak
Kuala Lumpur, 50400
Malaysia
Tel: (02-03) 2161 6277/6404/6506/6612/6752
Fax: (02-03) 2161 6343, 2163 4875 (administration section), 2164 1013 (consular section)
Emergency Contact: 016-6610400

Mexico (Mexico City)
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore
Rubén Darío no. 69, Col. Bosque de Chapultepec
Entre Hipolito Taine y Av. Campos Eliseos
C.P. 11570, Del. Miguel Hidalgo
Email: henkel@sirva.com.mx
Tel： 52-(55) 9150-7800, 9150-7802, 9150-7803
Fax: 52-(55) 9150-7805

Myanmar
238 Dhamazedi Road
Bahan Township
Yangon, Union of Myanmar
Email: singemb_ygn@sgmfa.gov.sg
Tel: 95-(1) 559-001
Fax: 95-(1) 559-002, 001-95-(1) 559-921 (visa fax no.)
Emergency Contact: 001-95-(9) 992-1073

Negara Brunei Darussalam
Singapore High Commission
No. 8 Simpang 74
Jalan Subok
Bandar Seri Begawan
Negara Brunei Darussalam
Tel: (673-2) 262 741/2/3
Fax: (673-2) 262 752

Other Information
P. O. Box Address: P. O. Box 2159, Bandar Seri Begawan BS 8674, Negara Brunei Darussalam

Netherlands (Rotterdam)
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore
Westerlaan 10
3016 CK Rotterdam,Netherlands
Email: consulate.singapore@vopak.com
Tel: 31-(10) 440 3650
Fax: 31-(10) 440 3651

New Zealand
Singapore High Commission
17 Kabul Street,
Khandallah
Wellington, New Zealand
P.O. Box 13-140
Tel: (64-4) 470 0850
Fax: (64-4) 479 4066

Nigeria
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore
3rd Floor, Lagoon View Plaza,
Plot A4, Ozumba Mbadiwe Street,
Victoria Island, Lagos, Federal Republic of Nigeria
Email: hcg.sin.ng@gmail.com
Tel： 234 1 4619088
Fax: 234 1 4610828

Pakistan
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore
Lakson Square Building No 2
Sarwar Shaheed Road
Karachi, Pakistan
Email: singaporecg@cyber.net.pk
Tel: 92-(21) 568-6419, 568-5308
Fax: 92-(21) 568-8067, 568-8056

Papua New Guinea (Port Moresby)
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore
Allot 27, Sect. 338
Vakari Street, Gerehu,
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Email: fchow@datec.net.pg
Tel: (675) 326-2107
Fax: (675) 326-2163

Other Information

PO Box 5349, Boroko, NCD,
Papua New Guinea
Agnes (Sir Henry's PA), call (675) 326 2188

Peru
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore
Av. Saenz Peña 284 Of. 706 Callao, Peru
Email: gerencia@merchor.com
Tel： 511-4538823
Fax: 511-4530047

Philippines
Embassy of the Republic of Singapore
505 Rizal Drive
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Republic of the Philippines
Email: singemb@singemb.org.ph
Tel: (63-2) 856-9922
Fax: (63-2) 856-9932

Portugal
Consulate of the Republic of Singapore
6 Rua da Mesquita, 8th Floor
1070-238 Lisboa
Tel： 351 21 370 5780

Qatar
Embassy of the Republic of Singapore
New West Bay Area (off Lusail Street)
P O Box 24497, Doha, State of Qatar
Email: singemb_doh@sgmfa.gov.sg
Tel: 974- 4128082, 4128083 (main)
Fax: 974- 4128180 (general), 974-4128183 (Comms Officer's fax)

Republic of Korea
Embassy of the Republic of Singapore
28th Floor, Seoul Finance Centre
84 Taepyungro 1-ga
Chung-gu, Seoul 100-768, Republic of Korea
Email: singemb_seo@sgmfa.gov.sg
Tel: 82-(2) 774-2464, 774-2465, 774-2466, 774-2467
Fax: 82-(2) 773-2463, 82-(2) 773-2465

Russian Federation
Embassy of the Republic of Singapore
Per Kamennaya
Sloboda 5,
121099 Moscow
Russian Federation
Tel: 7-(499) 241-3702, 241-3913, 241-3914, 241-6428, 241-3902
Fax: 7-(499) 241-7895, 241-7507 (Consular & Admin)
Accredited to Ukraine.

Saudi Arabia
Embassy of the Republic of Singapore
Diplomatic Quarter
Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Email: singemb_ruh@sgmfa.gov.sg
Tel: (966-1) 480-3855
Fax: (966-1) 483-0632

Saudi Arabia (Jeddah)
Embassy of the Republic of Singapore
Villa No. 5, Mohammed Tawfic Al Abbasi Street
Off Hera’a Street, (Behind Danube Madinah Road)
Opposite Al-Ghais Mosque
Email: info@singconsjed.com
Tel: 966-(2) 6073980, 001-966 (2) 6073981
Fax: 966-(2) 6074280

South Africa (Pretoria)
Singapore High Commission
980-982 Schoeman Street
Arcadia Pretoria 0083
South Africa
Tel: (27-12) 430 6035/6498/7163/7505
Fax: (27-12) 342 4425

Spain (Barcelona)
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore
Buenos Aires, 42, 1º 1 a
08036 Barcelona, Spain
Email Address: sgbcnconsul@auna.com
Tel： (34)-93363-4237
Fax: (34) 93363-4238

Spain (Madrid)
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore
Avda de Bruselas, 28
28108 Alcobendas
Madrid, Spain
Email Address: hcgmadrid@fundacion-metropoli.org (consular matters)
Tel: (34) 914 900 750
Fax: (34) 914 900 755

Sri Lanka
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore
No. 13, Dickman's Lane
Colombo 4, Sri Lanka
Email: chairman@ceylincoconsolidated.com
Tel: 94 - (11) 2550-800
Fax: 94-(11) 2582-850, 2502-988

Switzerland
Permanent Mission of Singapore In Geneva
Avenue du Pailly 10
1219 Châtelaine, Geneva
Email: singpm_gva@sgmfa.gov.sg
Tel: 41-(22) 795-0101
Fax: 41-(22) 796-8078(General), 796-8381 (Consular)

Thailand
Embassy of the Republic of Singapore
129 South Sathorn Road
Bangkok, Thailand
Tel: (66-2) 286 2111/1434
Fax: (66-2) 286 6977
Duty Handphone: 66-(81) 844-3580

Turkey (Istanbul)
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore
Kazim Ozalp Sokak No 28/8
Saskinbakkal
34740 Istanbul, Turkey
Email: info@singapore-tr.org, mparan@singapore-tr.org
Tel: 90-(216) 358-0133
Fax: 90-(216) 350-8619

United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi)
Embassy of the Republic of Singapore
Al Muhairy Centre, 8th Floor, Unit 803-804,
Zayed The 1st. Street, P.O.Box 112148
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Tel： 971 2 6351142
Fax: 971 2 6351143

United Arab Emirates (Dubai)
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore
Villa No 124, Street 30d,
Community No. 334, Al Satwa, Dubai
P O Box: 214661, Dubai,
Email: singcg_dxb@sgmfa.gov.sg
Tel： (9714) 321 9498
Fax: (9714) 321 9497

United Kingdom
Singapore High Commission
9 Wilton Crescent, Belgravia, London SW 1X 8SP
United Kingdom
Tel: (44-20) 7235 8315
Fax: (44-171) 7245 6583

United Nations, Geneva
Permanent Mission of Singapore to the United Nations
International Centre Cointrin
Block G - 6th Floor
Route de Pre-Bois 20
P.O. Box 1910
1215 Geneva 15
Tel: (41-22) 929 6655
Fax: (41-22) 929 6659
Accredited to Turkey.

United Nations, New York
Permanent Mission of Singapore to the United Nations
231 East 51st Street
New York, NY 10022, USA
Tel: (1-212) 826 0840/1/2/3/4
Fax: (1-212) 826 2964
Accredited to Canada.

United States of America
Embassy of the Republic of Singapore
3501 International Place, NW
Washington DC 20008, USA
Tel: (1-202) 537 3100
Fax: (1-202) 537 0876
Emergency Contact: 1-(202) 537-3100 Ext 140

United States of America (Chicago)
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore
Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP
One South Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603
Email: nminow@sidley.com
Tel: 1-(312) 853-7555
Fax： 1-(312) 853-7036

United States of America (Miami, Florida)
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore
2601 South Bayshore Drive, Suite 800
Coconut Grove, FL 33133, United States
Email: SGreen@sg-miami-consulate.org
Tel: 1-(305) 858-4225
Fax: 1-(305) 858-2334

United States of America (New York)
Consulate of the Republic of Singapore
231 East 51st Street
New York , NY 10022
United States of America
Email: singcon_nyc@sgmfa.gov.sg
Tel: 1-(212) 223-3331
Fax: 1-(212) 826-5028
Emergency Contact: 1-(917) 293-4540

United States of America (San Francisco)
Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore
595 Market Street, Suite 2450
San Francisco, CA 94105
Email: singcg_sfo@sgmfa.gov.sg
Tel: 1-(415) 543-4775, 1-(415) 543-0474, 1-(415) 543-6574
Fax: 1-(415) 543-4788

Vietnam (Hanoi)
Embassy of Republic of Singapore
No. 41 & 43 Tran Phu Street
Hanoi, Vietnam
Email: singemb_han@sgmfa.gov.sg
Tel: 84-4-3848 9168
Fax： 84-4-3848 9178
Emergency contact number 0904696589 (if dialed within Vietnam)

Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City)
The Saigon Centre, Level 8
65 Le Loi Boulevard, District 1
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Email: singcg_hcm@sgmfa.gov.sg
Tel: 84-8-3822 5174
Fax: 84-8-3914 2938
Emergency contact number (84) 904696589

-information as accurate to posting date, subject to change without prior notice-

H1N1 flu alert

Singapore will be pro-active in handling possible H1N1 flu outbreak

From 11pm Sunday, thermal scanners will be deployed to screen passengers on flights arriving from the US. And from 8am Monday, scanners will be deployed at all three arrival halls to screen all arriving passengers.

From Wednesday, scanners will also be deployed at the Budget Terminal and Seletar Airport.

CAAS added that flights in and out of Changi Airport are continuing as normal.

For more details, kindly visit Channel Newsasia's website
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/425063/1/.html

Fake banknote

Fake banknote alert!!

Singapore 50 dollars (SGD) note, Late President Yusoff Ishak image, the latest series.
Serial number 2EY322725

Changi Airport

Changi Airport Official Website
Click here

Changi Airport is the main airport of Singapore, it is easily accessible by bus, MRT, taxi and private transportation. Currently, this airport consists of four terminals, namely, Terminal 1, 2, 3 and Budget Terminal.

Senai Airport

Passenger pick up and drop off point

Senai Airport Official Website
http://www.senaiairport.com/

Senai Airport is located at Senai, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. Currently served by Malaysia Airlines, Firefly Airlines, and Air Asia, with routes linking various cities in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

Jetstar Asia/Tiger Airways new routes

Jetstar's plane

Jetstar Asia and Tiger Airways will be operating new routes from Singapore to Penang and Langkawi starting from the second half of 2009. More details to be announced soon, stay tuned!

Penang's icon, Komtar tower

Jetstar Asia website
http://www.jetstar.com/sg/en/index.aspx

Tiger Airways website
http://www.tigerairways.com.sg/

Firefly Airlines

Firefly launches air service between Malaysia and Singapore

New routes starting this June...

Kuala Lumpur（Subang）（28 flights per week）
Penang（14 flights per week）

New routes starting this July...

Kuala Terengganu（3 flights per week）
Kuantan（3 flights per week）
Ipoh（4 flights per week）

New route starting this September...

Malacca（4 flights per week）

Historial city of Malacca, Dutch church
(Click on image to enlarge)

For more details, kindly visit Firefly airline website
http://www.fireflyz.com.my/

Air Asia (Johor Bahru)

Air Asia, Johor Bahru routes

Air Asia operates a number of routes from Johor Bahru's Senai Airport. Senai Airport is situated about 25km away from Johor Bahru City (in Malaysia), which is located next to Singapore.

Inter city routes

- Kuala Lumpur LCCT (flight connection to other Malaysian cities)
- Penang
- Kuching (Sarawak)
- Miri (Sarawak)
- Sibu (Sarawak)
- Kota Kinabalu (Sabah)

International routes

Thailand
- Bangkok

Indonesia
- Bali
- Surabaya
- Jakarta

-information as accurate based on date of publishing-

Air Asia

Air Asia, Malaysia's leading budget air service operator, have several routes from Singapore, linking to the region. Following are the routes served by Air Asia, departing from Singapore.

Indonesia...

Bali
Bandung
Jakarta
Pekanbaru
Yogyakarta

Malaysia...

Kuala Lumpur (flight connection to other Malaysian cities)
Kuching
Kota Kinabalu
Penang (coming soon)

Thailand...

Bangkok (flight connection to other Thai cities)
Phuket

For more information, kindly visit the Air Asia Official Website
http://www.airasia.com

-information as accurate as date of publishing-

Get in by train

By train

Singapore is the southern terminus of Malaysia's Keretapi Tanah Melayu (Malayan Railway or KTMB) network. It runs two day trains (the Ekspres Sinaran Pagi and Ekspres Rakyat) and a sleeper service (Ekspres Senandung Malam) daily from Kuala Lumpur. From Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, the Sinaran Pagi departs at 8:40AM, the Ekspres Rakyat at 1PM and the Senandung Malam at 10:15PM. There is also a day train (the Lambaian Timur departing Singapore at 6AM) and sleeper (Ekspres Timuran departing at 6:15PM) daily along the "Jungle Railway" between Singapore and Tumpat, near Kota Bharu in the East Coast of Malaysia. Trains are clean and fairly efficient, but slower than buses.

Trains arrive at the small colonial-era railway station in Tanjong Pagar at the southern edge of the CBD, a bit of a hike from Tanjong Pagar MRT station. There's no ATM in the immediate vicinity, but there is a money changer, a simple restaurant and a taxi stand just outside to the right. Alternatively, you can also get off in Woodlands right after immigration and continue into Singapore by bus or taxi.

Note that KTMB tickets in Singapore will be charged in dollars, while those bought in Malaysia will be charged in ringgit at a 1:1 rate. A ticket which costs RM10 in Malaysia will thus cost $10 if bought in Singapore! There are three ways to avoid paying double:

1. Book your tickets as return tickets from Malaysia. For example, KL-Singapore-KL will be charged at the ringgit rate.
2. Cross the border by road and then board the train at Johor Bahru. Note that making a reservation is highly advisable; the easiest way is to book online.
3. Buy the cheapest ticket you can from Singapore to JB, then your 'real' ticket from JB onward. Change to your 'real' seat after crossing the border.

Also note that you will not get a Malaysian entry stamp in your passport if you enter the country by train, so don't panic. Passports are checked (but not stamped) by Malaysian immigration before you enter the platform to board the train in Tanjong Pagar but you will only get a Singapore exit stamp at Woodlands station, about half-an-hour's journey away. Coming in from Malaysia, the situation is much more conventional - Malaysia stamps you out in Johor Bahru (you don't even need to get out of the train) and Singapore stamps you in at Woodlands (you will have to disembark and walk through immigration, though).

-information courtesy of wikitravel, as accurate as date of publishing-

2009 reasons to enjoy Singapore

2009 reasons to enjoy Singapore

Please visit the following link for further details about this promotion
Click here

MRT Circle Line

MRT Circle Line (CCL) to be opened on 28 May 2009. The five stations that open are as follow:

- Bartley
- Serangoon (integrating with Northeast Line "NEL")
- Lorong Chuan
- Bishan (integrating with North South Line)
- Marymount

Fare structures for CCL are identical to NEL.

Air services expansion with M'sia

Singapore expands air services agreement with Malaysia

New Routes
- Ipoh
- Kuala Terengganu (Redang and Perhentian Island)
- Kuantan
- Malacca
- Tawau
- Sandakan

Existing Routes
- Kuala Lumpur (Genting Highlands, Bukit Tinggi Resort, the Mines)
- Penang
- Langkawi
- Kuching
- Kota Kinabalu

For more details, kindly visit the following website
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/422280/1/.html

A night in Singapore for just US$1

A night in Singapore for just US$1

A one-night stopover in Singapore for just US$1 (S$1.50), with S$10 vouchers to shop at Changi Airport and free admissions to Sentosa, the zoo and other tourist attractions to boot.

For more details regarding this promotion, please click here

Get in by bus

By bus (long distance express bus)

Direct to/from Malaysian destinations There are buses to/from Kuala Lumpur (KL) and many other destinations in Malaysia through the Woodlands Checkpoint and the Second Link at Tuas. Unfortunately, there is no central bus terminal and different companies leave from all over the city. Major operators include:

* Aeroline, +603-62588800. Luxury buses with meal on-board, power sockets, lounge area etc, to KL and Petaling Jaya. Departures from HarbourFront Centre. From $47 one-way.

* First Coach, +65-68222111. No frills, but the buses have good legroom and use the Second Link. Another selling point is convenient public transport: buses depart from Novena Square (Novena MRT) in Singapore and arrive right next to Bangsar LRT in Kuala Lumpur. $33/55 single/return.

* NiCE, +65-62565755. Over 20 daily departures from Kuala Lumpur's old railway station. Double-decker NiCE 2 buses (27 seats) RM80, luxury NiCE++ buses (18 seats) RM88. Departures from Copthorne Orchid Hotel on Dunearn Rd.

* Transnasional, +65-62947034. Malaysia's largest bus operator, offers direct buses from Singapore through the peninsula. Departures from Lavender St. Executive/economy buses RM80/35.

* Transtar, +65-62999009. Transtar's sleeper-equipped Solitaire ($63) and leather-seated First Class ($49) coaches are currently the best around with frills like massaging chairs, onboard attendants, video on demand and even wifi. More plebeian SuperVIP/Executive buses are $25/39, direct service to Malacca and Genting also available. Departures from Golden Mile Complex, Beach Rd (near Lavender MRT).

Other operators include:

* CitiExchange, +65-63981216
* Easibook, +65-64440745
* Gunung Raya, +65-62947711
* Hasry Express, +65-62949306
* Konsortium Express, +65-63923911
* Sri Maju Express, +65-62934160, 62948228

In general, the more you pay, the faster your trip. More expensive buses leave on time, use the Second Link, and don't stop along the way; while the cheapest buses leave late if at all, use the perpetually jammed Causeway and make more stops. Book early for popular departure times like Friday and Sunday evening, Chinese New Year, etc, and factor in some extra time for congestion at the border.

An alternative to taking a direct "international bus" is to make the short hop to Johor Bahru to catch domestic Malaysian long-distance express buses to various Malaysian destinations from the Larkin Bus Terminal. Besides having more options, fares may also be lower because you will be paying in Malaysian ringgit rather than Singaporean dollars. The downside is the time-consuming hassle of getting to Johor Bahru.

-information courtesy of wikitravel, as accurate as date of publishing-

Emergency telephone numbers

Police 999
Ambulance and fire brigade(Civil Defence) 995
Non-emergency ambulance 1777

Singapore Transport Directories

Streetdirectory.com
click here

Gothere.sg
click here

Public Transport @ SG
click here

Currency converter

Worldwide currency converting website

http://www.xe.com/ucc/

Cross border bus services

Singapore - Johor Bahru (Malaysia) cross border bus services

Please take note of the colouring representing "Singapore - Border Crossing - Malaysia".

SBSTransit

160: Jurong East - Kranji MRT - Causeway - Kotaraya Terminal

170: Queen Street - Kranji MRT - Causeway - Larkin Terminal

SMRT
950: Woodlands Regional Interchange - Marsiling MRT - Causeway - Kotaraya Terminal

Causeway Link
CW1: Kranji MRT - Causeway - Larkin/JB Sentral
CW2: Queen Street - Causeway - Larkin/JB Sentral
CW3: Jurong East - 2nd link - Gelang Patah - Bukit Indah Terminal
CW4: Jurong East - 2nd link - Gelang Patah - Pontian
CW4G: 2nd link (Malaysian side) - GP Sentral
CW5: Newton - Causeway - Larkin/JB Sentral
CW6: Boon Lay - 2nd link - Gelang Patah - Bukit Indah Terminal
CW7: Tuas Link MRT - 2nd link - Mall of Medini/Legoland

Singapore Johore Express
Queen Street - Causeway - Larkin Terminal

Kranji MRT station, transfer bus to and from Malaysia (Johor Bahru)

Buses between Johor Bahru and Singapore

Line	Stops in Singapore	Stops in JB	Price
Causeway Link CW-1	Kranji MRT only	Larkin	$1.30, RM1.30
Causeway Link CW-2	Queen St only	Larkin only	$3.20
Causeway Link CW-3	Jurong East MRT	Bukit Indah via 2nd Link	$4.00
SBS 170 (red plate)	Queen St via Kranji	Larkin only	$1.70
SBS 170 (blue plate)	Kranji MRT	JB Sentral only	$1.10
SBS 160	Jurong East via Kranji	JB Sentral only	$1.60
SMRT 950	Woodlands via Marsiling	JB Sentral only	$1.30
Singapore-Johor Express	Queen St only	Larkin only	$3.30

The most popular options to get to/from Johor Bahru are the buses listed in the table. There's a pattern to the madness: Singaporean-operated buses (SBS, SMRT, SJE) can only stop at one destination in Malaysia, while the Malaysian-operated Causeway Link buses can only stop at one destination in Singapore. Terminals aside, all buses make two stops at Singapore immigration and at Malaysian immigration.

At both immigration points, you must disembark with all your luggage and pass through passport control and customs, then board the next bus by showing your ticket. On the Malaysian side, the bus stop is to your left as you exit the immigration post. Figure on one hour for the whole rigmarole from end to end, more during rush hour.

- Information as accurate as date of publishing -

Get in by road

By road

Singapore is linked by two land crossings to Peninsular Malaysia:

The Causeway is a very popular and thus terminally congested entry point connecting Woodlands in the north of Singapore directly into the heart of Johor Bahru. While congestion isn't as bad as it once was, the Causeway is still jam-packed on Friday evenings (towards Malaysia) and Sunday evenings (towards Singapore). The Causeway can be crossed by bus, train, taxi or car, but it is no longer feasible to cross on foot after Malaysia shifted their customs and immigration complex 2 km inland.

A second crossing between Malaysia and Singapore, known as the Second Link, has been built between Tuas in western Singapore and Tanjung Kupang in the western part of Johor state. Much faster and less congested than the Causeway, it is used by some of the luxury bus services to Kuala Lumpur and is strongly recommended if you have your own car. There is only one infrequent bus across the Second Link, and only Malaysian "limousine" taxis are allowed to cross it (and charge RM150 and up for the privilege). Walking across is also not allowed, not that there would be any practical means to continue the journey from either end if you did.

Driving into Singapore with a foreign-registered car is rather complicated and expensive; see the Land Transport Authority's Driving Into & Out of Singapore guide for the administrative details. Peninsular Malaysia-registered cars need to show that they have valid road tax and Malaysian insurance coverage. Other foreign cars need a Vehicle Registration Certificate, Customs Document (Carnet), Vehicle Insurance purchased from a Singapore-based insurance company and an International Circulation Permit. All foreign registered cars and motorcycles can be driven in Singapore for a maximum of 10 days in each calendar year without paying Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) fees, but after the 10 free days have been utilised, you will need to pay a VEP fee of up to $20/day.

Go through immigration first and get your passport stamped. Then follow the Red Lane to buy the AutoPass ($10) from the LTA office. At the parking area, an LTA officer will verify your car, road tax and insurance cover note and issue you a small chit of paper which you take to the LTA counter to buy your AutoPass and rent an In-vehicle Unit (IU) for road pricing charges (or opt to pay a flat $5/day fee instead). Once that is done, proceed to customs where you will have to open the boot for inspection. After that, you are free to go anywhere in Singapore. Any VEP fees, road pricing charges and tolls will be deducted from your AutoPass when you exit Singapore. This is done by slotting the AutoPass into the reader at the immigration counter while you get your passport stamped.

Driving into Malaysia from Singapore is relatively uncomplicated, although small tolls are charged for both crossing and (for the Second Link) the adjoining expressway. In addition, Singapore-registered vehicles are required to have their fuel tanks at least 3/4 full before leaving Singapore. Do be sure to change some ringgit before crossing, as Singapore dollars are accepted only at the unfavorable rate of 1:1.

In both directions, note that rental cars will frequently ban or charge extra for crossing the border.

-Courtesy of wikitravel, information as accurate as publishing date-

testing 测试

testing 测试

http://sg-tour-n-travel.blogspot.com

click here

Botanic Gardens is 150 years old

Botanic Gardens celebrates 150th anniversary

The Singapore Botanic Gardens first took root in 1859. Since then, it has evolved into a much-loved civic space and one of the country's top attractions. To celebrate its 150th anniversary, a series of activities have been lined up to connect plants with people.

For further information, please kindly visit the Channel Newsasia website
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/419943/1/.html

2009 Public Holidays in Singapore

New Year's Day Thursday 1 January
Chinese New Year Monday to Tuesday 26-27 January
Good Friday Friday 10 April
Labour Day Friday 1 May
Vesak Day Saturday 9 May
National Day Sunday* 9 August
Hari Raya Puasa Sunday* 20 September
Deepavali Saturday 17 October **
Hari Raya Haji Friday 27 November
Christmas Day Friday 25 December

* The following Monday will be a public holiday.
** The Hindu Endowments Board has confirmed that Deepavali in 2009 will fall on 17 October.

Get in by plane

By plane

Singapore is one of southeast Asia's largest aviation hubs, so unless you're coming from Peninsular Malaysia or Batam/Bintan in Indonesia, the easiest way to enter Singapore is by air. In addition to flagship carrier Singapore Airlines and its regional subsidiary SilkAir, Singapore is also home to Tiger Airways, and Jetstar/Valuair.

In addition to the locals, every carrier of any size in Asia offers flights to Singapore, and there are direct services to Europe, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, North America, and even South Africa. Singapore is particularly popular on the "Kangaroo Route" between Singapore and Europe, with airlines like Qantas and British Airways using Singapore as the main stopover point. Within Asia, Singapore also has excellent connections to the more important cities, particularly those in Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, China and India.

Changi Airport

Changi Airport's control tower
(Click on image to enlarge)

No transfer facilities are available at the Budget Terminal, so if one or more of your connecting flights arrives or departs here, you have to go through arrival immigration and customs, check in your luggage again and go through departure immigration. If required for your nationality, you will need a valid Singapore visa for this, and it's best to allow at least 2-3 hours to complete the process. Transfers between the main terminals do not require this rigmarole.

Budget Terminal, currently serving Tiger Airways and Cebu Pacific
(Click on image to enlarge)

As befits the country's main airport and major regional hub status, Changi Airport (IATA: SIN; ICAO: WSSS) is big, pleasant, and well organized, and immigration and baggage distribution is remarkably fast. The airport is split into three main terminals (T1, T2 and T3) plus a dedicated Budget Terminal for low-cost airlines (currently only Tiger and Cebu Pacific).

Figuring out which terminal your flight arrives in or departs from can be complicated: for example, Singapore Airlines uses both T2 and T3, and only announces the arrival terminal two hours before landing. Fortunately transfers are quite easy, as the three main terminals are connected with the free Skytrain service, which can be used without passing through immigration. The Budget Terminal, on the other hand, can only be reached by a shuttle bus from the basement of T2.

ATMs abound in all terminals and money changers offer reasonable rates as well. If you have over five hours to spare there are free city tours six times a day. Check in at the Singapore Visitor Centre in either terminal. Even if stuck in the airport there are plenty of ways to kill time, including a movie theater (T2) and a swimming pool and jacuzzi (T1). Internet access is provided free of charge, both wirelessly and via some 200 terminals, there are some X-Boxes set up to keep gamers entertained, and there's live lounge music at times. Food options are varied and generally reasonably priced, with some choice picks including the Peranakan-themed Soup Restaurant (T2 landside) and Sakae Sushi (T2 airside). There are also SingTel and Starhub payphones that offer unlimited free local calls.

Terminal 3's Crowne Plaza Hotel
(Click on image to enlarge)

Terminals T1, T2 and T3 all have airside (i.e., accessible without passing through immigration) transit hotels - tel. +65-65419106 or book online via the Ambassador Transit Hotel website. A six-hour "block" for a single/double/triple costs $73.56/82.39/110.35, budget singles (shared bathroom) $51.50, extensions $17.65 per hour. You can rent a shower (without a room) to freshen up for $8.40. The Plaza Premier Lounges also offer a basic but functional gym with shower for $8.40 with a Singapore Airlines boarding pass.

From the airport there are a number of ways to get into the city:

* Taxi (cab) is easiest - simply follow the signs after clearing customs. Meters are always used in Singapore and prices are reasonable. A trip to the city during the day will be between $20 and $30 including $3-5 airport surcharge. An additional 50% surcharge applies between midnight and 6 AM.

* Limousines charge a flat $35 to anywhere in the city and are a pretty good deal after midnight, as you can skip the queue and avoid the surcharge. The same pricing applies to chartering van-sized MaxiCabs, which are good for large families or if you have lots of baggage.

* Shuttle - Shared six-seater MaxiCab shuttle service to designated areas/hotels costs $7.00 and can be booked in advance or in the arrivals hall. 6AM to 2AM, every 15 to 30 minutes.

* Subway - MRT trains run from a station between T2 and T3, but you'll need to change trains at Tanah Merah to a city-bound train: just exit through the left hand side door and cross the platform. The 30-minute ride to City Hall station costs $1.40 plus a refundable $1 deposit, and trains run from 5:31 AM to 11:18 PM. All stations except Buona Vista station have elevators.

* Bus - Bus terminals can be found in the basements of T1, T2 and T3. 6 AM to midnight only. Fares are sub-$2.00, exact fare required (no change given).

Changi Airport Terminal 1 Departure Hall (Level 2)
(Click on image to enlarge)

Seletar Airport

Seletar Airport (IATA: XSP; ICAO: WSSL), completed in 1928 and first used for civil aviation in 1930, is Singapore's first airport. While later airports like Kallang and Paya Lebar have been closed and turned into a military airbase respectively, Seletar is still in use to this day.

Berjaya Air flights to the Malaysian islands of Redang and Tioman use Seletar, not Changi. The only practical means of access to Seletar is taxi; trips from the airport incur a $3 surcharge.

Seletar is also Singapore's general aviation airport so if you own a private jet, you will most likely land here.

Drug trafficking penalty

WARNING: Singapore treats drug offences extremely severely. The death penalty is mandatory for those convicted of trafficking, manufacturing, importing or exporting more than 15 g of heroin, 30 g of morphine, 30 g of cocaine, 500 g of cannabis, 200 g of cannabis resin and 1.2 kg of opium, and possession of these quantities is all that is needed for you to be convicted. For unauthorised consumption, there is a maximum of 10 years' jail or fine of $20,000, or both.

You can be charged for unauthorised consumption as long as traces of illicit drugs are found in your system, even if you can prove that they were consumed outside the country, and you can be charged for trafficking as long as drugs are found in bags that are in your possession or in your room, even if they aren't yours and regardless of whether you're aware of them.

-Information courtesy of wikitravel Singapore travel guide, accurate as of publishing date-

Get in

Get in

Banned in Singapore

There's more to the list than just porn and drugs:
- Overhead wires
- Satellite dishes
- Standing water
- Freestanding billboards
- Feeding pigeons or monkeys
- Malaysian newspapers
- Homosexual activity

Most nationalities can enter Singapore without a visa. Refer to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority for current guidelines, including a list of the 30+ nationalities that are required to obtain a visa in advance. Entry permit duration (in most cases either 14 or 30 days, with 90 days for US Citizens) depends on nationality and entry point.

Singapore has very strict drug laws, and drug trafficking carries a mandatory death penalty — which is also applied to foreigners. Even if you technically haven't entered Singapore and are merely transiting (i.e. changing flights without the need to clear passport control and customs) while in possession of drugs, you would still be subject to capital punishment. In addition, bringing in explosives and firearms without a permit is also a capital offence in Singapore.

As always, travellers should take care with their baggage and secure it appropriately. Bring prescriptions for any medicines you may have with you. The paranoid might also like to note that in Singapore, it is an offence even to have any drug metabolites in your system, even if they were consumed outside Singapore. Hippie types may expect a little extra attention from Customs, but getting a shave and a haircut is no longer a condition for entry.

Duty free allowances for alcohol are 1 L of spirits, 1 L of wine and 1 L of beer per person unless you are entering from Malaysia, from which there is no duty free allowance. Alcohol may not be brought in by persons under the age of 18. Note that cigarettes cannot be brought in duty free. One opened packet (not carton!) is acceptable, but anything more will be taxed. Foreigners can opt to pay the tax or let the customs officers keep the cigarettes until the next departure; locals get to choose between paying or witnessing the cigarettes being destroyed.

Note that bringing in chewing gum is illegal, though customs officers would usually not bother with a few sticks for personal consumption as long as you are discreet about it.

Pornography, pirated goods and publications by the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Unification Church may not be imported to Singapore, and baggage is scanned at land and sea entry points. In theory, all entertainment media including movies and video games must be sent to the Board of Censors for approval before they can be brought into Singapore, but in practice this is rarely if ever enforced for original (non-pirated) goods.

-Information courtesy of wikitravel Singapore travel guide, accurate as of publishing date-

Holidays

Holidays

Gong xi fa cai Singapore style

There are a few twists to the Singapore way of celebrating Chinese New Year, particularly the food, which bears little resemblance to the steamy hotpots of frigid northern China. The top dish is bak kwa (肉干), sweet barbecued pork, followed closely by yu sheng (魚生), a salad of shredded vegetables and raw fish enthusiastically tossed into the air by all present. Favorite desserts are crumbly sweet pineapple tarts and gooey steamed nian gao (年糕) cakes. Red packets of money (ang pow) are still handed out generously, but unlike in China, in Singapore you only need to start paying up once married.

Singapore is a secular city state but thanks to its multicultural population, Singapore celebrates Chinese, Muslim, Indian, and Christian holidays.

The year kicks off with a bang on January 1st and New Year, celebrated in Singapore just as in the West with a fireworks show and parties at every nightspot in town. Particularly famous are the wet and wild foam parties on the beaches of resort island Sentosa — at least those years when the authorities deign to permit such relative debauchery.

Due to the influence of the Chinese majority, the largest event by far is Chinese New Year (农历新年) or, more politically correctly, Lunar New Year, usually held in February. The whole festival stretches out for no less than 42 days, but the frenzied buildup to the peak occurs just before the night of the new moon, with exhortations of gong xi fa cai (恭喜发财 "congratulations and prosper"), red tinsel, mandarin oranges and the year's zodiac animal emblazoned everywhere and crowds of shoppers queuing in Chinatown, where there are also extensive street decorations to add spice to the festive mood. The two following days are spent with family and most of the island comes to a standstill, and then life returns to normal... except for the final burst of Chingay, a colorful parade down Orchard Road held ten days later.

On the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese calendar, the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) is celebrated to commemorate a Chinese folk hero. As part of the celebrations, rice dumplings, which in Singapore are wrapped in pandan leaves instead of the original bamboo leaves, are usually eaten. In addition, dragon boat races are often held at the Singapore River on this day.

The seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar — usually August — starts off with a puff of smoke, as "hell money" is burned and food offerings are made to please the spirits of ancestors who are said to return to earth at this time. The climax on the 15th day of the lunar calendar is the Hungry Ghost Festival (中元节), when the living get together to stuff themselves and watch plays and Chinese opera performances.

Following soon afterwards, the Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节) on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month (Sep/Oct) is also a major event, with elaborate lantern decorations — particularly in Jurong's Chinese Garden — and moon cakes filled with red bean paste, nuts, and more consumed merrily.

The Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, known locally as Deepavali, is celebrated around October or November and Little India is brightly decorated for the occasion.

At around January-February, one may witness the celebration of Thaipusam, a Tamil Hindu festival in which male devotees would carry a kavadi, an elaborate structure which pierces through various parts of his body, and join a procession from the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Little India to the Sri Mariamman Temple in Chinatown. Female devotees usually join the procession carrying pots of milk instead.

About one week before Deepavali is Thimithi, the fire-walking festival where one can see male devotees walking on burning coals at the Sri Mariamman Temple.



The Islamic month of Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr or Hari Raya Puasa as it is called here, is a major occasion in Malay parts of town, particularly Geylang Serai on the East Coast, which is lighted up with extensive decorations during the period.

Another festival celebrated by the Malays is Eid-ul-Adha, known locally as Hari Raya Haji, which is the period when Muslims make the trip to Mecca to perform in Hajj. In local mosques, lambs contributed by the faithful are sacrificed and their meat is used to feed the poor.

The Buddhist Vesak Day, celebrating the birthday of the Buddha Sakyamuni, plus the Christian holidays of Christmas Day, for which Orchard road is extensively decorated, and Good Friday round out the list of holidays.

A more secular manifestation of community spirit occurs on August 9th, National Day, when fluttering flags fill Singapore and elaborate parades are held.

The Singapore Ministry of Manpower maintains the official list of public holidays.

-Information courtesy of wikitravel Singapore travel guide, accurate as of publishing date-