Buzz
The internet is flooded with lists about bizarre, odd, and funny laws from various countries. However, many of these lists fail to mention that most of these laws are no longer enforced. Where’s the excitement if you can't be fined for frowning in Milan or calling your pig 'Napoleon' in France?
Here's a list of ten outrageous laws from around the globe that are still being enforced today. These aren't ancient rules tucked away in dusty archives, but laws that have led to legal issues in the modern world. Enjoy the ride!
10. Lawn Mowing On Sundays - Germany
Germany has over 82 million residents, which is roughly a quarter of the U.S. population. Yet it’s only about 3.7% of the size of the U.S. This dense population means a lot of people in small spaces, which leads to a significant amount of noise—lots of noise.
To address this, Germany implemented Ruhezeit, or 'Rest Time.' This law sets specific hours during the day when noise is to be avoided. The hours differ by state but typically range from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM, extending until 6:00 AM the following morning. Some states also enforce Ruhezeit from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM daily. Nevertheless, Ruhezeit is universally observed on Sundays and public holidays.
Noise is completely prohibited during Ruhezeit. People cannot mow their lawns, rev their engines, play loud music, or even use washing machines in apartment buildings. Ruhezeit has sparked some intriguing legal cases. One neighbor complained that the frogs in a nearby pond disturbed him at night, but the court ruled that frogs are a natural part of the environment and suggested earplugs. In another case, a neighbor objected to the constant barking of a dog, and the court concluded the dog could bark for no more than 30 minutes per day.
9. Accessing Someone Else’s Wi-Fi Without Permission - Singapore
In Singapore, connecting to someone else's Wi-Fi network without permission can lead to up to three years in prison and a fine of 10,000 Singapore dollars. This rule falls under the nation's Computer Misuse and Cybersecurity Act, treating such actions as hacking.
In 2006, 17-year-old Garyl Tan Jia Luo became the first individual arrested and charged for illegally accessing someone else's Wi-Fi. Since he was underage, he wasn't imprisoned but instead placed on 18 months' probation, during which he was confined to his home. As part of the probation, he was prohibited from using the internet. The judge ruled this ban necessary as Garyl had also developed an addiction to online gaming and the internet.
8. Sharing Your Netflix Password - Tennessee, US
Tennessee has enacted a law that prohibits residents from sharing their Netflix passwords. This rule extends beyond Netflix to all subscription-based entertainment platforms. Ironically, Netflix itself allows users to share their passwords with up to four people.
This law isn’t new—it’s an update to an older law intended to curb cable TV subscription fraud. Naturally, the update received support from the Recording Industry Association of America, which was concerned about illegal music sharing.
The law primarily targets hackers who sell Netflix login details and users who share their logins with too many people. However, lawmakers acknowledge that even innocent users could face arrest for breaking the law. Those who use up to $500 worth of the service could face a $2,500 fine and a year in prison, with harsher penalties for those exceeding the $500 threshold.
7. Getting Drunk in a Bar - Alaska, US
If there’s one place where people are most likely to get drunk, it’s a bar. So, it’s a bit ironic that Alaska introduced a law prohibiting people from getting drunk in bars. The law was enacted after the state government found that most crimes in Alaska were committed by intoxicated individuals.
Alaskan authorities began enforcing the law in 2012. Undercover officers would visit bars to spot drunk patrons. Once they suspected someone was intoxicated, they would call in backup to make the arrest. Bartenders were also at risk, as they could be arrested for serving alcohol to an already drunk person. Since there’s no official way to certify drunkenness, only those visibly causing disturbances—like vomiting or falling off stools—were arrested.
6. Chewing Gum - Singapore
Since 1992, chewing gum has been banned in Singapore. This move was part of the effort by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew to elevate Singapore to first-world status. The ban was implemented due to people frequently sticking chewed gum on pavements and train doors, causing issues, especially on train doors.
During a 2000 interview with BBC’s Peter Day, Lee Kuan Yew was asked about the potential for chewing gum to enhance creativity. Lee responded by dismissing the idea, calling gum-chewing nothing more than mischief. He added that anyone who felt they needed gum for creativity could simply chew a banana instead.
Singapore eased the chewing gum ban in 2004, allowing pharmacists and dentists to sell medical chewing gum. To purchase it, however, one needs a prescription. Tourists are permitted to bring a small amount of chewing gum into the country for personal use.
5. Compulsory HIV Tests for Suspected HIV Carriers - Greece
In 2012, Greece enacted Public Health Decree 39A, a controversial law that grants police the authority to arrest individuals suspected of being HIV-positive and test them without consent. Those who test positive may have their personal information and images published in newspapers, and they could also lose their jobs or be evicted without warning.
The law came into effect after Greece saw a significant rise in HIV cases, with a 200% increase in new infections between 2011 and 2012. This surge was largely attributed to high unemployment rates, widespread drug use, and cuts in HIV prevention funding. Despite this, the government focused on enforcement rather than addressing the root causes of the crisis.
In 2012, the police rounded up hundreds of women for HIV testing. Seventeen tested positive. The government publicly shared their details and images, labeling them as prostitutes despite lacking evidence to support the claim. Even if proven, this action would have been deeply unethical.
4. Public Playing The National Anthem Twice A Day - Thailand
Every day at 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM, radio and TV stations, as well as loudspeakers across Thailand, begin broadcasting the Thai National Anthem. At that moment, everyone is expected to stand at attention. Those seated must rise, those walking must stop, and all activities come to a halt until the anthem concludes. In certain areas, people can still face arrest for failing to stop their actions during the anthem.
The practice of playing the Thai anthem publicly was established by Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram (commonly known as Phibun) in 1932. Phibun decreed that the National Anthem be played at 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM daily, requiring everyone to stand at attention until it finished. Additionally, he mandated that all Thais memorize the anthem, use spoons and forks for eating, wear shoes, and follow Western-style clothing. He also limited people to eating a maximum of four times daily.
In 2007, a proposal was made by some retired army generals to amend the law requiring everyone to stop moving during the anthem to also include vehicles. This would ensure that cars would also halt until the anthem ended. However, the National Legislative Assembly expressed concerns about potential confusion and set up a panel to review the suggestion.
3. Possessing A Permanent Marker On Private Property - Oklahoma City, US
In December 2010, a 13-year-old student at Roosevelt Middle School in Oklahoma City was placed under citizen's arrest by his teacher, Ms. Delynn Woodside, for writing on a paper with a permanent marker, which bled onto his desk. Ms. Woodside alleged that the boy also marked his desk with the marker.
An Oklahoma City Police Department officer took the boy to a juvenile detention center. A spokesperson for Roosevelt Middle School stated that the incident would be investigated once school resumed after the winter break. The boy’s arrest was not due to the desk marking but rather for possessing the marker.
Oklahoma City’s Ordinance 35-202 makes it illegal to possess spray paint or permanent markers on private property without prior consent. Originally aimed at curbing graffiti on private property, the law seems overly harsh, especially considering a 13-year-old was arrested for this infraction.
We could not find more details about the school district's decision, but we suspect it favored the boy. If not, there might have been an absurd legal dispute over whether a public school counted as private property.
2. Marrying Someone Your Parents Don’t Like - France
In November 2010, Frenchman Stephane Sage was mere hours from marrying his Hong Kong girlfriend, Man Sin Ma, also known as Mandy, when his parents intervened and opposed the union. Thanks to an old French law from 1803, his parents had the legal right to annul the wedding, as it granted parents and grandparents the authority to block their children or grandchildren's marriages.
Initially, Sage's parents claimed their objection to the marriage was based on their belief that Mandy sought marriage to gain French citizenship. They even accused her of being a Chinese spy in court. However, the court ruled that Sage could marry Mandy, as his parents' accusations lacked substantial evidence to justify their opposition.
1. Insulting the Monarchy in Thailand
Thailand's lese majeste law makes it a crime to insult the royal family. This controversial law has been used to target political dissidents. Its controversy deepens when one considers that even the king's dog is regarded as part of the royal family, meaning anyone who insults the dog can face legal repercussions under this law.
In 2015, a Thai man stood before a closed courtroom, facing up to 37 years in prison for making satirical remarks about the king's dog, Thong Daeng (Copper). Thong Daeng, a mongrel, was beloved by the late King Bhumipol Adulyadej, who had such deep affection for the dog that he wrote a book about it. This book was later adapted into an animated film, which went on to become the second highest-grossing film of its release year.
