I was reading the Straits Times, and is appalled that Singapore actually does license hotels at locations away from the airport to charge accommodation at hourly-rate, apparently with no mention of restriction to only transit passengers. What!? Are we a sleazy city country?
Hourly-rate accommodation (also commonly known as transit accommodation), which is a feature usually at airports, is commonly meant to provide the weary transit passengers with a comfortable private resting area.
However, it is often a different scenario when hourly-rate accommodation is provided at locations away from airport. In the heartlands, and especially within the legally provided red-light district, it’s role is often as a very budget private room for purchased sex. Yes, it is so budget that the hourly rate starts from below the starting charge for a taxi booking made within CBD after work ($10.30)*, to around the cost of an adult ez-link card ($15).
So, with the ease that one can find budget hourly-rated hotel rooms, my view is that we are in effect silently practicing the line of thought that we are just being an open society, where we assume that people are responsible. Sex, regardless of whether being purchased or not (mistress?), is a private issue, and is just a human need (and will not be legally punishable, if it does not contravene any laws).
Sigh… Temptation does not mix well with responsibility. So, now I know that there is another temptation that exists in Singapore. That is in addition to betting, be it with Singapore Pools or our future Casinos. Sounds like writing 此地无银三百两.
* ($3+$3.50+$2.80+$1=$10.30) $3.00 CBD charge, $3.50 Booking charge at peak hour, $2.80 Flag down charge, $1.00 35% peak hour charge on flag down.
Hi,
There are other uses for hourly rate rooms i.e. imagine 3am after chionging, forgot to bring keys, need a place to shower and sleep?
or want to watch soccer with a group of frens at 2am, don’t want to go pub; cannot gather at home ’cause all the shouting will disturb other family members’ rest?
Don’t think too much, ya…
Regards,
Tham
Oh hi,
Regarding the this issue, I also read somewhere that the men in blue always conduct raids based on rooms that is in “transit” and is booked by locals, don’t know true or not.
Cheaper rates does mean easier access but that does not mean a rampant adoption of certain practices. If people want to engage in “illicit” acts, they will do it no matter what. Price might be a barrier to entry but to what extent.
finally, hotel81 owner punished for this.