Destination Guide for Singapore

Relocating from The Kingdom of Thailand to Singapore

Life in Singapore

Singapore officially the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign island city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. It lies about one degree of latitude (137 kilometers or 85 miles) north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, bordering the Straits of Malacca to the west, the Riau Islands to the south, and the South China Sea to the east.

Despite its small size, Singapore has a diversity of languages, religions, and cultures. Singapore does not fit the traditional description of a nation. Singaporeans do not all speak the same language, share the same religion, or have the same customs. Each Singaporean’s behaviors and attitudes are influenced by, among other things, his or her home language and his religion. Singaporeans who speak English as their native language tend to lean toward Western culture and Christian culture

while those who speak Chinese as their native language tend to lean toward Chinese culture and Confucianism. Malay-speaking Singaporeans tend to lean toward Malay culture, which itself is closely linked to Islamic culture. Racial and religious harmony is regarded by Singaporeans as a crucial part of Singapore’s success, and played a part in building a Singaporean identity

Weather

Singapore has a tropical rainforest climate with no distinctive seasons, uniform temperature and pressure, high humidity, and abundant rainfall. Temperatures usually range from 23 to 32 °C (73 to 90 °F). While temperature does not vary greatly throughout the year, there is a wetter monsoon season from November to February. 

From July to October, there is often haze caused by bush fires in neighboring Indonesia, usually from the island of Sumatra.] Singapore follows the GMT+8 time zone, one hour ahead of the typical zone for its geographical location. This causes the sun to rise and set particularly late during February, where the sun rises at 7:15 am and sets around 7:20 pm. During July, the sun sets at around 7:15 pm. The earliest the sun rises and sets is in late October and early November when the sun rises at 6:46 am and sets at 6:50 pm.

Cost of Living

Singapore is a fantastic expat destination, offering an exciting cultural mix, great career opportunities, and world class amenities. The standard of living is high – but life in Singapore doesn’t come cheap. That said, if you’re a student or living on a fixed income, you can make some simple lifestyle changes to make the most of your money. By shopping, eating and enjoying leisure time like a local, you can cut costs and have a more authentic experience.

Whether you’re retiring, temporarily relocating, or moving to Singapore for good, it’s helpful to have a picture of what life there will cost as an expat. 

General Living Expenses

Living expenses in Singapore (excluding rent)

Average cost

Single person, per month

1,155 SGD

Single person, per year

13,860 SGD

University student, per month

703 SGD

4 person family, per month

4,209 SGD

4 person family, per year

50,508 SGD

 

Renting in Hong Kong

Renting in Singapore

Average monthly cost

One bedroom flat/apartment (city center)

2,812 SGD

One bedroom flat/apartment (outside of city center)

1,912 SGD

Three-bedroom family home (city center)

5,282 SGD

Three-bedroom family home (outside of city center)

3,101 SGD

Internet

42 SGD

Utilities (gas, electric and water for a 85m2 apartment)

157 SGD

For more detailed cost of living in the Singapore, please click here or visit: 

International Schools

Here you can find a short list of some top schools in Singapore:

Tanglin Trust School, Singapore

95 Portsdown Road,
139299,
Singapore

www.tts.edu.sg

Co-educational, Day, Nursery, Pre-Preparatory, Preparatory, Senior, Sixth Form.

Read more about Tanglin Trust School, Singapore

ACS (International), Singapore

61 Jalan Hitam Manis,
Singapore,
278475

Co-educational, Boarding, Day, Senior, Sixth Form.

Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)

121 Dover Road,
Singapore,
139650

Co-educational, Boarding, Day, Senior, Sixth Form.

Ascensia International School

Blk 106A Henderson Crescent,
#01-01 Henderson Area Office,
Singapore,
151106

Co-educational, Day.

Australian International School, Singapore

1 Lorong Chuan,
556818,
Singapore

Co-educational, Day, Nursery, Pre-Preparatory, Preparatory, Senior, Sixth Form.

Customs Regulations for Returning Citizens

While Singapore is like Hong Kong, in the sense that it’s is an expensive country to live in for Asia, its regulations are relatively relaxed and straightforward, which makes it quite simple when you are moving there from Bangkok or Phuket, Thailand.

That said, here are a few of the main points summed up for which you should be made aware of:

Required Documentation

Following documents are required for import of household goods and personal effects into the Singapore:

  • Copy of Passport
  • Copy of employment pass in Origin country
  • Copy of Singapore NRIC
  • Copy of Singapore Re-Entry permit
  • Pre-Arrival notice
  • Packing Inventory list
  • Customs forms – Declaration of Facts to Singapore Customs
  • Singapore Alcoholic Beverages Documentation

Importation of House Hold Goods

  • A person transferring residence to Singapore is exempt from payment of customs Goods and Services Tax (GST) on used household articles and personal effects provided that such person satisfies the Customs Officer that:

– He/she is changing his place of residence from outside Singapore

– He/she has to be in Country of Origin at least 6 months

– He/she is the owner of the articles and effects imported; and

– The articles and effect have been in his possession and used for period of not less

than 3 months

– That the articles and effects are imported within 6 months of his first arrival

– That such a person gives an undertaking not to dispose of the articles and effects

within 3 months from the date of importation of such articles and effects

For more detailed information, please view the full Customs Regulations Guide from FIDI. Please also contact one of our move specialists who are here to help you with importing your house hold goods into Singapore from Thailand.

Pets

  • Dogs, cats and birds can be brought into Singapore in accordance with the veterinary regulations for the importation of such animals and birds into Singapore. 
  • If ownership of an animal cannot be verified from birth to 6 months for that animal, it will be quarantined.

Motor Vehicles

  • All vehicles must comply with the UN/ECE Regulation 83 or the Japan Safety Regulation Article 31 for road vehicles, concerning standards for exhaust emission.
  • Vehicles which are more than 3 years old are not allowed to be imported. Left-hand drive cars are also not allowed to be imported.
  • Private cars are subject to customs duties and registration fees which are approximately 200% of the open market value (the manufacturer’s price plus freight insurance). Duties for motorcycles are significantly lower than cars but are still substantial.

For more detailed information, please view the full Customs Regulations Guide from FIDI. Please also contact one of our move specialists who are here to help you with importing your house hold goods into Singapore from Thailand.

Transit Times and Ports of Entry

Sea Shipments: 

Port of Entry

Transit Time

Customs Clearance

Singapore

3 Days

5-7 Working Days

 

Air Shipments:

Port of Entry

Transit Time

Customs Clearance

Singapore

1 Day

2-3 Working Days