Singapore enraged by a 'straw-licking' prank… the fate of a teenage French exchange student

A Singapore court fined a French student S$600 for public nuisance after he posted a video of himself licking a straw from a vending machine and putting it back.

The clip spread quickly online, triggering hygiene concerns and prompting the straw supplier to replace 500 stored straws.

The ruling underscores Singapore’s strict stance on actions that disturb public order and public hygiene.

It also shows that social media pranks can lead to legal penalties and business fallout.