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Beware: Things That Are Completely Legal In The West Might Be Illegal In Asia
BY Sibashree Jul 6, 2026
In an age where the world is more connected than ever before, it is all too easy to forget that there are clear legal distinctions between regions of the globe. Quite simply, what might be tolerated or perfectly legal in the West could be the polar opposite when it comes to interpreting the same rules of engagement in Asia. Naturally enough, every country has its own sets of rules and standards that it expects its citizens and visitors to abide by. It can be a case of trying to stay on the right side of the law in an online trading environment, such as finding the best gaming payment solutions that recognize these regional disparities or something else. In this article, I will make sure that you or any first-time traveler does not get into trouble due to the weird laws in Asia. Here is a look at some of the most interesting and unique laws that set this region apart from other continents. What Are The Weird Laws In Asia Every First-Time Traveler Must Know? From dressing respectfully to being mindful about the interactions with nature, the weird laws in Asia are many. Also, the rules change when you visit different countries. Nevertheless, to begin with, here is the list of things you can keep in mind. 1. Be Careful With Your Mobile Phone Use In Japan You will probably be shocked to learn that in a country that has such a big reputation for embracing technology in every way possible in their daily lives, there are strict rules in place relating to phone use in public spaces. Using your phone while out and about is a tricky subject in Japan. They have laws that forbid people from using their phones in public spaces or when walking along a road. It is such a unique law relevant to Japan that they even have a name for it. If you are accused of the act of Arukisumaho, which effectively means “smartphone walking,” it could be a problem. In all likelihood, you would be unlucky to get pulled up by law enforcement officers for this offense. Arukisumaho is definitely forbidden, but is generally tolerated. Japanese officials tend to take the view that they expect every person to be respectful of this law, mainly because it is aimed at avoiding accidents through being distracted, rather than being something they want to enforce. Best not to check your emails or scroll social media sites while out and about in Japan. Otherwise, you will get some stern looks from the locals and risk a legal challenge. 2. Watch How You Connect With Nature In Singapore If you are enjoying a nice walk in a public park, feeding the birds might seem like a perfectly natural thing to do. In most places, this is a simple act that gives you pleasure, and the birds quite like it too. However, it’s a different story in Singapore. Be warned, feeding the birds or other wildlife in public spaces is actually illegal in Singapore. Local authorities take this offense very seriously. So, you might receive more than a slap on the wrist while feeding birds and wildlife. There are known examples of visitors being fined thousands of dollars for feeding pigeons, which is a surefire way to ruin your vacation in an instant. 3. How You Hook Up To The Internet Could Get You In Trouble Another law that is unique to Singapore relates to how you connect your device to the internet. The issue here is that Singapore views the act of connecting to another person’s Wi-Fi as illegal. It does not matter even if you have permission from the person to use it. It will still be an act of hacking. There can be a fine as high as $10,000. Also, you can get a jail sentence for up to three years. So, be careful while connecting your phone to other devices. You should be okay when you connect to the Wi-Fi in a coffee shop or a designated workspace area. However, definitely proceed with caution, especially when you think of the potential consequences. 4. Avoid The Pungent Aroma Of Durian Fruit In Public If you are not already aware of the incredibly strong and pungent aroma that durian fruit gives off, you certainly will be when it first hits your nostrils. Understandably, this very unique food item has a strong reputation for being the smelliest fruit on the planet, as it really smells horrible. So, it is not surprising that places like Malaysia, Thailand, and other parts of Southeast Asia have specific laws restricting the carrying or consumption of durian in public places. It has such a distinctive and strong smell that it will soon become apparent if someone is breaking the law. When you consider how smelly this fruit actually is, this is a law that is quite easy to comply with. 5. Dress Respectfully In Thailand One of the joys of worldwide travel is being able to immerse yourself in different cultural experiences. It also helps when you are respectful of local cultures and rules, especially if you don’t want to upset the locals or get into legal hot water. One law to comply with in Thailand is that you must wear underwear in a public place. Also, bear in mind that the country does expect locals and visitors alike to dress respectfully and modestly. A good guideline to work to when traveling around Thailand would be to always keep your shoulders covered up. So, wear skirts that are long enough to guarantee modesty, and keep your underwear on at all times! The Thai people are really friendly and love engaging with visitors. They also appreciate when someone makes the effort to observe their local cultural laws and dress with modesty in mind. These are some quirky laws to be aware of when traveling East. Generally speaking, take the time to behave respectfully and fully observe all local laws. Thus, you should enjoy a fantastic cultural experience. Also, Western cultures and standards are different from those in Asia. Once you know the small tricks, you can avoid becoming a talking point.
