Part 3/11:
One prominent voice in this conversation is Yu Thai, who launched a petition urging the government to mandate free tap water at eateries in Singapore. His motivation stemmed from witnessing a disturbing trend: eateries increasingly asking customers to buy bottled mineral water or pay a premium for tap water, especially during visits to buffets or casual dining establishments.
He recounts a personal example—a $40 barbecue buffet—where he was told that free-flowing water would require an additional $5 purchase. Feeling increasingly irked, Yu Thai decided it was time to stand up for consumer rights. Though his petition has garnered around 4,000 signatures, he admits that wider public engagement remains limited, highlighting a cultural tendency to accept such charges as normal.