Asia Pacific Psychiatric Rehabilitation Conference Singapore 2008

CLIMATE
Singapore has a mild tropical climate with abundant rainfall throughout the year. Temperatures reach a maximum of 34 degrees Celsius during the day, failing to a pleasant 25 degrees Celsius in the evening.

CREDIT CARDS
Major credit cards such as American Express, Diners, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in Singapore

CURRENCY
The monetary unit is the Singapore dollar (US$1 = S$1,58725)*. Foreign currency and travelers cheques can be exchanged at the Changi International Airport, hotels,, shops and licensed money changers in numerous locations. The local currency is Singapore Dollars and Cents. Notes come in denominations of S$2, S$5, S$10, S$50, S$100, S$500, S$10,000. Coins come In denominations of 5¢, 10¢, 20¢, 50¢, S$1.

DRINKING WATER
Singapore Is known for its safe clean drinking water. Tap water need not be boiled and is safe for drinking.

ELECTRICITY
Singapore's voltage is 220-240 volts AC, 50 cycles per second. Upon request, most hotels will provide transformers to visitors with electrical appliances of a different voltage, such as 110- 120 volts, 60 cycles per second. A standard (UK) rectangular 3-pin plug is used in Singapore.

TRANSPORT
Getting around Singapore is easy and inexpensive. Excellent bus services complement one of the world's most modern and efficient train systems. The taxis are metered and air-conditioned, and cars may be hired from a number of agencies.

COMMUNICATION
Mobile Phones: There are two mobile phone networks - GSM900 and GSM1800 - and three mobile telephone service providers - SingTel, M1 and StarHub. To make international calls, the access codes are 001, 013, or 019 for SingTel, 002 or 021 for M1, and 008 or 018 for StarHub.

Payphone services: Public payphones are operated by credit card or stored-value phone cards, They can be used for making local and international calls. Public payphones are located at shopping centres and subway stations. Local calls are charged at 10 cents per 3 minutes. International Calling Cards are available at post offices, automatic teller machines, the airport, 7-Eleven convenience stores and other retail outlets.

Postal Services: Singapore Post has more than 900 postal outlets and 150 Self Automated Machines (SAMS) (24-hour automated machines that allow you to weigh your packages and buy stamps) throughout the island. Fax and air-parcel postage services are available at all outlets. Most postal outlets are open Mondays to Fridays, from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm, and on Saturdays, Val 8,30 am to 1.00 pm. Many hotels also offer postal services at the front desk.

Internet: Most hotels offer guests Internet access. Internet cafes and public Internet access kiosks are available throughout Singapore.

LOCAL TIME
Singapore is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. Clocks are not adjusted for daylight saving.

SHOPPING
Shopping rivals eating as a national pastime in Singapore. The avid shopper is certain to find some great buys from the promotional sales taking place all year round. From the staidly functional to the quaintly fashionable, Singapore's ubiquitous shopping malls have them all. The Central Shopping Belt that stretches from Orchard Road to Marina Square teems with designer boutiques, specialty shops, outdoor cafes and gourmet restaurants. Credit cards are widely accepted in Singapore.

Tax-free Shopping: A Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 5% is levied in Singapore. As a visitor to Singapore, you are entitled to claim back the GST paid on your purchases if you spend S$300 or more at shops displaying the Tax Refund and Tax Free Shopping logos. Simply present a GST Claim Form or Global Refund Cheques (obtainable from the retailer) together with the goods for Customs inspection at the Tax Refund Counter at the departure hall at either Terminal 1 or 2 of Changi Airport, or at Seletar Airport. For further details, visit the Singapore Customs website at www.customs.gov.sg.

Shopping & Business Hours: Shops and supermarkets normally open from 10.00 am to 10.00 pm daily. In addition, there are convenient stores which are open round the clock.

The business hours for Government offices are normally from 8.30am to 5.30pm from Monday to Frideay and 8.30am to 1.00pm on Saturday.

FOOD
Food is an integral part of the Singapore experience with a veritable feast awaiting around every corner. Singapore is a paradise for food, with a cuisine to suit everyone. Singapore's vast array of hawker stalls and restaurants that range from global franchises to gourmet delis to posh six- star settings. It is no wonder that eating is a national pastime in Singapore! The challenge is deciding what to try first.

TIPPING
Tipping is not encouraged as most hotels and restaurants already levy a 10% service charge on customers’ bills. Tipping is not common in Singapore and is prohibited at the airport.

HEALTH SERVICE
Singapore's medical facilities are among the finest in the world, with well qualified doctors and dental surgeons. Most medicines are available at pharmacies which are located at supermarkets, department stores, hotels and shopping centres, Registered pharmacists normally work from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm. Most hotels have their own doctors on 24¬hour call.

LANGUAGES
The four official languages in Singapore are Malay, Mandarin, Tamil and English. English, the language of business and administration, is widely spoken. Most Singaporeans are bilingual being conversant in English and their mother tongue. Malay is the national language.

RELIGION
The diversity of religions in Singapore is a reflection of its multi¬racialism. This is a land where the minarets of mosques stand cheek-by¬-jowl with the spires of gothic cathedrals and the distinctive architecture of Hindu and Chinese temples. The main religions are Islam, Taoism, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Judaism.

SAFETY
Singapore has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. However, visitors are advised to exercise vigilance and take the usual precautions.

EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Police - 999
Ambulance - 995

ENTRY & EXIT REQUIREMENTS
If you are holding travel documents issued by the following countries, you will require a valid visa to enter Singapore. Applications for such visas can be made at the respective countries' high commissions or overseas missions: Afghanistan, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, *Bangladesh, Belarus, Cambodia, People's Republic of China, Estonia, Georgia, Hong Kong (Document of Identity), "'India, Iraq, *Jordan, Kazakhstan, *Laos, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Middle East countries (Refugee Travel Documents issued to Palestinian refugees), Moldova, *Myanmar, Russia, -Syria, Tajikistan, *Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, 'Vietnam, Holders of Palestinian Authority.

Generally, foreigners who do not require visas for entry and are visiting Singapore as tourists may be given up to 30-day social visit passes upon their arrival in Singapore, Tourists, however', should have valid passports, onward / return tickets, onward facilities (eg. visas, entry permits etc.) to their next destination and sufficient funds for their stay in Singapore. If they require a longer stay, they may apply to the Singapore Immigration Department, 10 Kallang Road, or call the hotline at Tel: 6391 6100. The processing of extension of stay will take at least one working day.

Holders of Diplomatic / Official Passports are exempted from visa requirements. Holders of Laos Diplomatic / Official Passports are exempted from visa requirements for social visits up to 30 days only.

For more information visit: http://www.nita.gov.sg/consular/visa/frame_visa2.htm