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Washing machine glass shatters in Singapore laundromat as couple places playpen inside

In a peculiar incident at a Sembawang laundromat, a couple decided to wash an entire playpen, including its railings, in a washing machine.

The result was chaotic, with the playpen spinning uncontrollably and soapy water flooding the area. Fortunately, no one was injured in the mishap.

The incident, which took place at Mister Wash laundromat on Sep 10, drew attention on social media. Witnesses reported hearing glass breaking as the washing machine’s glass panel shattered.

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SINGAPORE: In an unusual incident at a Sembawang laundromat, a couple attempted to wash an entire playpen, including its railings, in a washing machine.

The result was a burst of chaos as the playpen spun uncontrollably and soapy water inundated the area.

The incident, which occurred at Mister Wash laundromat at Block 120 Canberra Crescent on Sep 10, was shared on social media, drawing attention to the bizarre situation.

Witnesses reported hearing what sounded like glass breaking and rushed to the scene to find the washing machine’s glass panel shattered, with glass shards flying about.

Fortunately, no one was injured.

The entire episode and its associated videos were posted by a Facebook user, Olivia Law.

 

She stated that, they were near the laundromat when they suddenly heard what sounded like glass “exploding.”

In response, they hurried into the establishment to assess the situation, where they observed soapy water extensively covering the floor.

According to her, the glass panel on the washing machine’s door had fractured, with glass fragments flying around.

She also mentioned that it was fortunate that it happened during lunchtime, as there were no customers in the store, averting the potential for injuries.

Couple seemed like ‘educated & smart people’

During the incident, individuals inside the laundromat initially assumed that someone had inserted a baby stroller into the machine.

However, a woman, suspected to be the playpen’s owner, stated that “it was a play pen not a baby stroller.”

The person who shared the incident noted that the couple, seemingly well-educated and fluent in English, lacked common sense.

They revealed that the playpen’s owner requested the deletion of the video recording and not share it on social media.

Although she deleted clips that identified anyone, she noted that there was still a CCTV camera in the store.

“If the woman had just stood there, no one would have known who was the idiot who tossed a metal object into the washing machine,” they said in the post.

“So when she stopped me and asked me to delete the video, everyone knew who the brainless person was.”

“You should always use your brain before doing anything,” they warned in the post.

“Don’t let anything unpleasant happen just because you were lazy,” she said.

Regarding why no one attempted to turn off the washing machine, the user clarified that the majority of customers present were either children or elderly individuals.

Consequently, there was apprehension about potential slips on the soapy floor, along with concerns about the risk of electrocution or injury from the still-emitting glass shards.

The woman’s husband did make an effort to extract the playpen and deactivate the machine but encountered difficulties in doing so.

Fortunately, the machine eventually ejected the playpen, bringing an end to the chaotic situation.

Owner’s feedback

The laundromat owner, has not taken legal action at this time and is assessing the cost of repairing or replacing the damaged washing machine.

He mentioned that the laundromat features a notice that educates customers about items unsuitable for machine washing.

However, there are “too many things” such that not everything can be listed down, he said.

His intention is to engage in a conversation with the couple regarding compensation for the impaired machine, and the couple has also indicated their readiness to engage in discussions about compensating for the damage.

This unusual incident has left the community baffled and serves as a reminder to exercise caution and common sense when using public facilities.

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Crime

Singaporean fugitive deported from Thailand, to be charged with drug trafficking

A Singaporean fugitive arrested in Thailand, was deported to Singapore on 19 September 2024 and faces drug trafficking charges. Authorities expect him to face the death penalty under Singapore’s tough drug laws for running a smuggling operation between Thailand, Australia, and Singapore.

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A 31-year-old Singaporean man, wanted for drug trafficking offences, was arrested in Thailand and deported to Singapore on 19 September 2024.

The fugitive, identified as Benny Kee Soon Chuan, was apprehended by Thai police at his residence near Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and will face charges in court on 20 September.

Kee, described as a high-level trafficker, ran a smuggling operation that trafficked crystal methamphetamine, ketamine, and Ecstasy to Australia and Singapore using Thailand as a transit hub, according to Pol Lt Gen Panurat Lakboon, secretary-general of Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB).

Cross-Border Investigation and Arrest

The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) of Singapore had issued an arrest warrant for Kee following investigations into two drug trafficking cases in December 2020 and November 2022.

He had been on the run since 11 April 2016, prompting CNB to collaborate with its international counterparts, including the ONCB. Thai authorities were tipped off by CNB on 12 August 2024, and after weeks of investigation, Kee was apprehended on 17 September.

Thai immigration officials revealed that Kee had entered Thailand earlier in 2024 using a Vanuatu passport.

Following his arrest, Kee’s Thai visa was cancelled, and assets worth 15 million baht (S$585,000), including luxury watches, gold pieces, and a luxury car, were seized during a raid on his residence in Samut Prakan.

Lt Gen Panurat confirmed that the fugitive had been living an affluent lifestyle in Thailand despite lacking legitimate employment.

Links to Broader Drug Network

Kee is believed to be linked to other Singaporean traffickers involved in the smuggling of drugs from Thailand.

In March 2021, Thailand’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Task Force (AITF) intercepted packages containing Ecstasy and ketamine destined for Singapore, as well as crystal methamphetamine bound for Australia.

Two other Singaporean men, aged 21 and 29 at the time of their arrests, were later sentenced to imprisonment and caning in Singapore for their involvement in these operations, which were connected to Kee’s trafficking network.

Death Penalty Under Singaporean Law

Kee’s deportation to Singapore brings him under the jurisdiction of Singapore’s severe drug laws, which prescribe the death penalty for those convicted of trafficking substantial amounts of controlled substances.

Singaporean authorities have indicated that he could face the death penalty under the country’s strict drug trafficking laws. Pol Lt Gen Panurat indicated that Singaporean authorities are expected to seek the maximum penalty for Kee’s alleged offences.

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Arts & Culture

Epigram Books to close SAM bookshop amid low sales and footfall

Epigram Books will shut down its bookshop at the Singapore Art Museum on 26 January 2025, citing low sales and foot traffic. The independent bookstore, known for supporting local authors, will continue to operate its online store, but its future in brick-and-mortar retail is uncertain.

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Epigram Books, a major supporter of Singaporean literature, will close its Epigram Coffee Bookshop at the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) on 26 January 2025.

The decision comes after years of struggling with low sales and foot traffic at the Tanjong Pagar Distripark location, marking the end of the bookstore’s three-year lease.

The announcement on 19 September follows Times Bookstores’ closure of its final outlet in Holland Road, highlighting the growing challenges faced by brick-and-mortar bookstores in Singapore.

Edmund Wee, publisher at Epigram Books, expressed disappointment, stating: “We tried everything to make this work. Over the past three years, we’ve often asked ourselves, how many people even knew our bookstore existed here, let alone visited?”

Despite efforts to boost traffic, including operating shuttles to increase accessibility, the bookstore struggled to attract visitors consistently.

Epigram Coffee Bookshop, previously located at the Urban Redevelopment Authority Centre on Maxwell Road and later in a pop-up at Beach Road, relocated to SAM in May 2022 in partnership with Balestier Market Collective.

The 20-seater store featured towering shelves showcasing local and Southeast Asian titles, including books from other independent publishers like Ethos Books and Math Paper Press.

However, the location’s industrial setting, which only saw spikes in visitors during major exhibitions like Olafur Eliasson’s, limited consistent footfall.

The closure coincides with the end of Eliasson’s exhibit on 22 September 2024. Although the exhibition provided a temporary boost to the bookshop’s sales, Epigram noted that the increased traffic was short-lived.

Epigram’s future in physical retail remains uncertain. Mr Wee indicated that high rental costs make reopening a physical store unlikely: “Unless rent prices relent, it’s unlikely we’ll move into another space.”

Epigram Books has been a significant presence in Singapore’s independent book scene, promoting local authors and holding literary events.

The bookshop was also a community hub for the literary arts, hosting numerous book launches and events supporting local writers. “These spaces are special to our literary arts community. They’re where book lovers gather, where literary events and book launches happen in support of our writers,” said Mr Wee.

Despite the closure of the SAM store, Epigram will continue to operate its online store. The publisher emphasized the need for continued support from readers: “We’ve come this far with everyone’s support, and we look forward to continued support from our readers as we transition to focus on online sales.”

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