Thread

1. itake · 1789919545 · focus · HN ↗

   Singapore libraries are really annoying for foreigners because they don’t let you use the WiFi.

   Thailand at least gives you a 1 hour pass.

   Not that anyone asked but my ranking of public libraries in Asia

   1/ Taiwan

   2/ HK

   3/ Thailand

   4/ Laos (private libraries are cute, but hot…)

   4/ Vietnam (Bring your passport!)

   5/ Singapore

   I haven’t been to a library in Japan or S Korea. I tried working from a community center in Japan but I couldn’t figure how it works.

   1. Onavo · 1789922033 · focus · HN ↗

      It's not limited to their libraries. All of their public facilities are like this. Even their public swimming pools (not allowed to use them if you are a visitor, their digital ticketing system requires the local equivalent of a SSN). The official excuse is that it's tax payer subsidized.

      It's very much a classist country where you position in society is determined by your immigration status. Everything there is tiered based on whether you are a "citizen" (first class), permanent resident (second class), and you are in a permanent out group if you are not in the above two classes. And if you are a foreigner, whether you are a white "expat" or a Dubai -style indenture servant migrant worker. Valley tech bros are obsessed with that country but all that glitters is not gold.

      1. debo_ · 1789932147 · focus · HN ↗

         This is also pretty funny considering how much of Singapore's business is related to sheltering the wealth of the rich from other nations.

         1. joeblubaugh · 1789952132 · focus · HN ↗

            A lot of those people are permanent residents.

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