CRIME CORNER

 Hello ladies and gents this is the Viking telling you that today we are talking about

Weird laws from around the world

Here in the UK, we’ve got our fair share of odd laws. For one, it’s still illegal for a policeman to refuse to let a pregnant woman wee in his hat. We’re not the only ones, though. Unusual laws fill the courts of countries around the world. For example, in the coastal town of Granville, France, elephants are banned on the beach. But France isn’t the only place with elephant-limiting laws. Did you know that in San Francisco it’s illegal to walk your elephant down Market Street without a lead? Some of these laws are just plain funny, but some of them are pretty important to note when you’re planning a holiday. We’ve been chatting to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and they’ve clued us in about some of the strangest laws out there*. Keep reading to get clued in before you set off…

Plus, make sure you visit the FCDO's Travel Aware page, where you'll find all the information and advice you need before you jet off, including advice on how to renew your passport, travel insurance, and driving abroad.

Thailand

If you’re a vaper, listen up. As sweet-smelling as your E-cigs are, leave them at home if you’re holidaying in Thailand. The FCDO says “you can’t bring vaporisers, like e-cigarettes, e-baraku or refills into Thailand. You can get fined, or even sent to prison if you ignore the ban.” It’s also worth bearing in mind that smoking is banned on lots of beaches around Thailand, too, to protect the environment.

Greece

History buffs, leave your heels at home. Stilettos, wedges, platforms – they’re all banned at some famous historical hotspots in Greece, like the Acropolis. It’s all to protect the sites from damage – plus, you’ll be a lot comfier when you’re exploring them.

Sri Lanka

Buddhism’s the main religion in Sri Lanka – in fact, over 70% of the country practise the religion. So, it’s really important to be respectful. The FCDO states that “the mistreatment of Buddhist images and artefacts is a serious offence and tourists have been convicted for this. British nationals have been refused entry to Sri Lanka or faced deportation for having visible tattoos of Buddha.” Plus, make sure you don’t pose for pics standing in front of a statue of Buddha.

Caribbean

Leave your camo garments at home if you’re heading off on a Caribbean holiday. In St Lucia, St Vincent, and Barbados it’s illegal for anyone, including little ones, to wear camouflage-patterned clothes.

Spain

If you’re feeling adventurous, and set out on a hike in the woods in Spain, be extra careful. The FCDO tells us that “causing a forest fire is treated as a criminal offence in Spain even if unintentional”.

Turkey

Respect’s the name of the game in Turkey. The FCDO advises that “it is an offence to insult the Turkish nation or the national flag, or to deface or tear up currency. If you are convicted of any of these offences, you could face a prison sentence of between six months and three years.”

Italy

If you’re on a romantic Italian holiday in Venice, and want to impress your other half by making like Snow White, avoid St Mark’s Square. It’s illegal to feed the pigeons there – this rule was put in place to help limit the number of pigeons, as they can damage the historic features that make the square so unique.

Singapore

You might notice that in Singapore the streets are super clean. That’s partly because chewing gum’s totally banned – unless it’s for medical purposes.

Switzerland

Late-night loo-users beware – flushing the toilet after 10pm is illegal in some apartment blocks in Switzerland. Why? Well, it’s all to do with noise pollution. The Swiss like their sleep undisturbed.

France

Bad news for fans of the trunk – in France, budgie smugglers are the only men’s swimming attire allowed in public pools.

Germany

Make sure you fuel up before you go on the motorway – it’s not only annoying to run out of petrol on the autobahn – it’s actually illegal.

and as always have a chilled day from the Viking