Updated: 04/09/2014 18:16 | By Channel NewsAsia
Four fined for acting as tour guides without valid licences
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SINGAPORE: Four persons were convicted in the State Courts on Wednesday for acting as tourist guides without valid tourist guide (TG) licences.
Longue John Francis, Heng Suan Yam, Koh Ong Nga and Jatuporn Balbir pleaded guilty to the charges against them for their unlicensed tourist guide activities.
For their offences, Francis and Koh were fined a total of S$3,300 each, and Heng and Jatuporn were fined S$1,500 each.
The offenders were intercepted by enforcement officers from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) when they were conducting unlicensed guiding activities on various days from November 2012 to December 2013 in places such as the Sultan Mosque, Singapore Flyer, Mount Faber Park, Merlion Park and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.
In a statement, the STB said it takes a serious view against those who engage in unlicensed tourist guiding activities.
Regular enforcement checks on the ground will be continued to ensure compliance and to uphold the integrity of the tourist guide regulatory framework.
STB said it is committed to safeguard the reputation of Singapore's tourism sector, and will not hesitate to take necessary action against those who contravene the legislation.
All tourist guides providing guiding services in Singapore are required to obtain tourist guide licences issued by STB.
Those who act as a tourist guide without a valid tourist guide licence issued by STB is liable to a maximum fine of S$3,000 or, in the case of a repeat offender, to a maximum fine of S$5,000.
Under amendments to the Singapore Tourism Board Act that will come into effect later this year, future offenders will be fined a maximum of S$5,000 for acting, offering to act or advertising to act as a tourist guide without a valid TG licence and, in the case of repeat offenders, be liable to a maximum fine of S$10,000. - CNA/de
