In a recent case of public indecency, a 37-year-old Thai national was sentenced to one week in jail and fined S$2,000 for urinating inside an MRT train cabin, adding to a growing list of similar incidents at transport nodes across Singapore.
Court Proceedings and Incident Details
Meksuwan Suwapit, an inspection engineer, pleaded guilty on 18 Mar 2025 to one count of performing an obscene act in public and another for committing a public nuisance. A third charge of appearing drunk in a public place was taken into consideration during sentencing.
The incident occurred on 25 Jan when Meksuwan met friends in the Somerset area and consumed a bottle of red wine starting around 4:30pm. He later decided to head home and boarded a train at Somerset MRT Station, heading towards Jurong East.
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Shortly after 8pm, while the train was traveling between Ang Mo Kio and Khatib stations, Meksuwan unzipped his pants and urinated inside the cabin. A fellow commuter photographed the act and reported it to police officers on patrol.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Teo Lu Jia told the court that commuters were “annoyed, shocked and/or disgusted” by Meksuwan’s actions, causing them to move away from him and the growing puddle of urine. The situation worsened as the train’s movement spread the urine across the floor, with some passengers unknowingly stepping in it.
Authorities intercepted the train at Woodlands MRT Station, where Meksuwan was taken to a first aid room for investigation. He was arrested that same day and charged two days later.
In court, an unrepresented Meksuwan repeatedly made prayer gestures with his hands. He acknowledged making “a huge mistake” and promised to avoid alcohol in the future.
District Judge Salina Ishak noted that Meksuwan’s actions had “crossed the custodial threshold” as his private parts were clearly visible during the incident. She agreed with the prosecution that a fine alone would be inadequate punishment.
The prosecution had pushed for a jail term, citing the need to deter such “obscene, unacceptable and anti-social conduct.” According to data from the National Environment Agency, an average of 600 people were fined annually for urinating or defecating in public from 2020 to 2024.
Rising Trend of Public Urination Incidents
This case marks the latest in what appears to be a growing trend of public urination incidents at MRT stations in Singapore.
At least three other men have faced charges for similar offenses in January 2025. Li Guorui, 41, was fined S$2,000 on 14 Jan after urinating on an escalator handrail at Outram Park MRT station while heavily intoxicated following a business dinner.
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Similarly, Zhou Hongwei, 57, received a S$2,000 fine on 26 Feb for urinating in front of the passenger service center at Potong Pasir MRT Station on 13 Jan.
A third case involving Soo Fook Khan, 53, who allegedly urinated on the platform of Tanah Merah MRT station on 8 Jan, is scheduled for court hearing on 27 Mar.
For performing an obscene act in a public place, offenders can be jailed for up to three months, fined, or both. The offense of public nuisance carries a penalty of up to three months’ jail and a fine of up to S$2,000.
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