S'pore's latest indoor playground? Guess again

A GALLERY at Changi Airport appears to have become a "playground" for the public, with visitors sleeping, eating and climbing on displays there, despite a sign advising against such activities.

A Shin Min Daily News reader, who gave his name only as Mr Dong, told the paper that he spotted this at the Changi Aviation Gallery recently.

The 53-year-old, who is unemployed, was quoted in the report yesterday as saying that the gallery at Terminal 3 has become a playground, with more children climbing on displays and disrupting the peace.

"The situation is very bad. Many tourists come to the airport every day, and this will spoil Singapore's international image," said Mr Dong, who lives in the east and visits the airport frequently.

He has also seen visitors having picnics at the area, leaving rubbish behind. According to him, some even stuffed litter into air vents, while others dirtied the carpet when they spilled their drinks.

When Shin Min visited the gallery at about 7pm on Sunday, a sign was spotted that read "No littering, no food and drinks, no studying, no pets, no sleeping, no playing, no climbing". However, visitors seemed oblivious to it.

One such person was a woman eating a piece of cake at the gallery, just beside the sign, even sharing the food with some kids.

When told that eating was not allowed there, she claimed she was not aware of it and quickly put away the cake.

A 47-year-old engineer at the gallery, who gave his name as Mr Zhuang, said he had even seen people sleeping on the chairs late at night.

He added that he hoped the authorities would step up efforts to discourage such behaviour.

A spokesman for Changi Airport Group told My Paper yesterday that while most gallery visitors are considerate, it is aware of those who "unfortunately may misuse the attraction by littering, eating, drinking and sleeping at the gallery".

He added that the group conducts regular checks and housekeeping to maintain the condition of the gallery, which is popular with visitors.

"We will step up enforcement checks and also educate users on considerate behaviour," said the spokesman.

myp@sph.com.sg

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