S'pore man tries car camping at East Coast Park, gets stopped by NParks

Trying to make the most of Youth Day, Heng took two of his children to East Coast Park to spend quality time with them on their school holiday.

He discovered the joys of car camping in Japan and decided to try it in Singapore.

He parked his car at a spot in East Coast Park and set up a tent.

However he was eventually informed by National Parks Board (NParks) officers to take down his car camp.

He then took to Facebook to ask in a Singapore camping group if anyone knew a proper spot where he could camp out of his car.

Camp

Speaking to Mothership, Heng shared that he tried to find a spot in Singapore to car camp but could not find one. Thus, he decided to try camping out of his car at a car park in East Coast Park.

On Jul. 7, Heng arrived at East Coast Park at around 7:30am and spent close to an hour setting up the tent he had bought from Shopee for about S$160, which extended from the boot of his car.

Just as he was about to relax in the tent with his two children, two NParks officers driving a buggy stopped by him.

He said the two officers approached him and told him he was not allowed to camp in that spot without a permit.

In addition, the area he set up at is not a proper camping ground, and with cars driving around nearby, they shared that it was not safe.

According to the NParks website, individuals who wish to camp can only do so at designated areas within certain parks.

Additionally, a valid camping permit is required, and interested parties must apply at least two weeks before the scheduled camping date.

NParks details that only those aged 16 and above with a valid residential address in Singapore can apply for a camping permit. They should also not have any existing camping permit, and not exceed the limit of four days of camping per month.

Heng acknowledged that the NParks officers were doing their job and immediately complied with the officers' request.

He told Mothership that he hopes NParks can provide more options for safe car camping in the future, as he feels that it is a great way for families to bond.

"And for those that have a big family like I do, I really hope to have a good space to hang around with my family without spending too much money outside.

I know some of you might say, 'why not pitch a tent near the beach where it's legal?'. Yes, it will be fun, but the logistics make it very hectic. Especially, when I have five kids and the eldest is only in primary three."

Top photos via Heng/Facebook