Singapore's English-language daily broadsheet, owned by Singapore Press Holdings
Thailand will shorten visa-free stays for tourists from 60 countries, effective Sept. 15, to 30 days, with two land-border entries allowed per calendar year. The change aims to bolster national security, curb misbehavior, and protect the economy’s tourism engine. Israelis are among those affected; protests over tourist conduct have amplified scrutiny, though authorities say penalties for violations will rise.
A 19-year-old student has pleaded guilty to public nuisance after licking a straw and returning it to an iJooz vending machine in a Singapore shopping mall. The act, filmed for social media, prompted the company to replace all 500 straws and upgrade its machines. The court has imposed a fine; probation was considered but deemed impractical due to the student’s travel plans.