A 37-year-old Thai national received a one-week jail sentence and S$2,000 fine for urinating inside an MRT train cabin, adding to several similar incidents at Singapore transport hubs.
Court Case Details
Meksuwan Suwapit, an inspection engineer, pleaded guilty on March 18, 2025, to performing an obscene act in public and committing a public nuisance. A third charge of appearing drunk in public was considered during sentencing.
The incident happened on January 25 after Meksuwan consumed a bottle of red wine with friends in Somerset starting around 4:30pm. He later boarded a train at Somerset MRT Station toward Jurong East.
Around 8pm, while the train traveled between Ang Mo Kio and Khatib stations, Meksuwan urinated inside the cabin. A passenger photographed this and reported it to police officers on patrol.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Teo Lu Jia stated that commuters were “annoyed, shocked and/or disgusted” by his actions, causing them to move away from him and the urine puddle. The train’s movement spread the urine across the floor, with some passengers unknowingly stepping in it.
Authorities stopped the train at Woodlands MRT Station, where Meksuwan was taken to a first aid room for investigation. He was arrested that day and charged two days later.
In court, the unrepresented Meksuwan made prayer gestures with his hands. He admitted making “a huge mistake” and promised to avoid alcohol in future.
District Judge Salina Ishak noted his actions had “crossed the custodial threshold” as his private parts were visible during the incident. She agreed with prosecutors that a fine alone would be insufficient punishment.
The prosecution requested jail time, citing the need to deter “obscene, unacceptable and anti-social conduct.” National Environment Agency data shows an average of 600 people were fined annually for urinating or defecating in public from 2020 to 2024.
Other Recent Public Urination Cases
This case is the latest in a series of public urination incidents at MRT stations in Singapore.
At least three other men faced charges for similar offenses in January 2025:
- Li Guorui, 41, was fined S$2,000 on January 14 after urinating on an escalator handrail at Outram Park MRT station while intoxicated following a business dinner.
- Zhou Hongwei, 57, received a S$2,000 fine on February 26 for urinating in front of the passenger service center at Potong Pasir MRT Station on January 13.
- Soo Fook Khan, 53, allegedly urinated on the platform of Tanah Merah MRT station on January 8, with a court hearing scheduled for March 27.
Performing an obscene act in public can result in jail terms up to three months, fines, or both. Public nuisance carries penalties up to three months’ jail and fines up to S$2,000.
