There is nothing worse than getting arrested when on vacation; this can be avoided if you don’t do anything dangerous or illegal and are aware of the basic local laws and customs. Here is a list of fourteen weird travel laws that can get you arrested if broken. Don’t miss this if you don’t want to get arrested on your next trip.
No Drunk Horse Riding
It is illegal to ride a horse while drunk in Scotland. This offense is governed by the same act that also governs drunken possession of a firearm. As per the Licencing Act of 1872, it is an offense to be drunk while in charge of a horse, cattle, or loaded firearm. The punishment for this offense is a whopping 51 weeks of jail time.
No Salmon on Sundays
If you’re in Scotland or planning to go there in hopes of enjoying nature and catching the country’s famous Salmon, make sure it’s not on Sundays. In Scotland, it is illegal to fish for migratory fish, Salmon, and Sea Trout on Sundays.
Say No to Sunbathing
If you’re in Samoa or are planning to go to Samoa, the beautiful country in Oceania, keep in mind that public nudity is illegal in the country. If you plan to get a sunbath for some Vitamin C and a beautiful tan, be sure not to sunbathe nude. Remember to put something on to avoid offending the locals or getting arrested for public indecency. Public indecency is prohibited under the Samoa Crimes Act 2013, which includes a penalty and prison time.
No Selfie Sticks
Selfie sticks are an easy and convenient tool for clicking selfies and recording videos from a good angle. However, selfie sticks have been banned in Milan since 2017. This is part of the country’s efforts to cut down on the nuisance created by tourists and locals eager to click selfies without any care about the disturbance they create for others.
Don’t impersonate Batman and Robin
If you’re thinking of going to the Comic-Con or just want to have some fun with your friend and dress up as Batman and Robin, please don’t.
As weird as it sounds, it is illegal to dress up as Batman and Robin in Australia. This is not a random rule; according to the government of Australia, dressing up like Batman and Robin amounts to impersonating a police officer, which is illegal as per Section 546D of the Crimes Act 1900.
Maybe try Superman instead of Batman.
Don’t drive Shirtless
It is illegal to drive shirtless in Thailand. If you drive a car, make sure to wear a shirt. It must be noted that bikini tops can also sometimes be considered shirtless. Fines are issued for shirtless driving, so put that shirt on. In Thai culture, it is frowned upon to go out topless, and this can come under indecency as per Section 282 of the Thai Criminal Code.
Don’t build Sandcastles
Unless you want to shell out $162 in fines to the police and municipality, don’t build sandcastles in Spain. Building sandcastles is illegal in Spain’s Levante, Arona, and Arica beaches. According to the authorities, this law was passed to maintain the beauty and appeal of the beaches.
Say No to Yellow
Yellow is the color of sunshine and warmth; it goes well with pretty much everything but doesn’t go everywhere. If you’re in Malaysia or planning to travel, do not wear yellow clothes in the country. Not only could you be fined $1000, but you could also be detained. This weird law is in place because, in 2016, protesters dressed in yellow took to the streets of Kuala Lumpur demanding the resignation of the then-Prime Minister. Since then, wearing yellow clothes has been seen as a symbol of dissent and a threat to the country’s security. The rule is stated clearly in the Malaysian Federal Government Gazette.
Don’t Eat while driving
You should never drink while driving, but you shouldn’t eat while driving, either when in Cyprus. Eating or drinking while driving can be a distraction and increase the risk of accidents. Eating or drinking while driving is a traffic violation in Cyprus, and you could be fined $92.
Don’t Swear
In the UAE, it is a crime to use cuss words towards anyone, especially in public. If you’re found using indecent language in any form of communication, you could be fined up to $160,000 and sometimes even face a prison sentence of up to three years, depending on the gravity of the situation. Article 373 of the UAE Penal Code enforces this law, and it applies to everyone, including tourists.
Don’t get your Nasal Spray
Many common over-the-counter nasal sprays containing the decongestant pseudoephedrine are illegal to bring into Japan. This includes popular brands like Vicks Inhalers, Actifed, and Sudafed. The reason is that pseudoephedrine, while a mild stimulant used to treat nasal congestion, is also a raw material for manufacturing methamphetamine. To prevent drug abuse, Japan strictly regulates pseudoephedrine-based medicines, even though they are freely available in many other countries.
No Smoking
If you’re in Russia, do not smoke in public places, especially near hospitals, playgrounds, stations, and government buildings. Smoking is also prohibited inside restaurants and bars. According to Federal Law No. 15-FZ, it is illegal to smoke in public places, and offenders must pay a fine of $47. In some cases, offenders could also be detained for fifteen days.
Men shouldn’t belly dance
In Egypt, it is illegal for men to belly dance. While there is no clear law about this, men belly dancing and crossdressing as women have been arrested on numerous instances in the country. So, male tourists don’t get carried away when you’re seeing a belly dance and start dancing; you could get arrested for debauchery.
Hold your peace
In Australia, disturbing or disrupting weddings is a punishable offense. Any person who does so could face a two-year prison sentence or a $10000 fine, according to the Summary Offences Act, 1953.