Taiwan Gay Bar Raid

[Drew3668]

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/rare-police-raid-of-taipei-gay-bar-sparks-angry-protest

 

Will Singapore Saunas and Bars be next ?

 

 

 

Edited October 6 by Drew3668

[murano]

A piece of media literacy advice when we approach these stories:

 

1. Understand the motive behind the incident - in this case, Taipei mayor incumbent Jiang Wan An is sparring with mayoral race opponent Puma Shen on drug-use policies, and in a push to further gain support from the older, conservative groups, it is widely believed that the raids on gay bars and establishments are a showcase to prove he's actively cracking down on drugs and aids-related vices. Makes no sense to most of us, but it works wonders to conservative folks who are all about criminalising minority and LGBTQ+ groups. 

 

2. Make it make sense - If Singapore is also actively cracking down on gay-related activities and businesses, then perhaps the question seems plausible. But let's not give SPF ideas, as they are now busy with catching educators who are preying on students, and stopping people from wearing t-shirts with certain slogans. Please refrain from fearmongering, it serves no one, maybe except those who fear easily.

 

At least in Taiwan, civic groups are able to take to the streets to protest and seek justice for those detained during the raid.

 

Should it happen in Singapore, will you or anyone be able to gather, hold placards and lend a voice to the marginalised?

 

 

 

Edited October 6 by murano

[singalion]

 

Will Singapore Saunas and Bars be next ?

 

 

I guess this issue should be settled for Singapore. 

However, no disclaimer, because (as you can see very well in neighbouring countries (even Thailand), often "ambitious" police heads who try to make points or collude with political persons, religious groups,  go sort of "overboard" by starting such raids or arrests. 

Therefore, it could happen here, if you have some overzealous head of the police division and intends to "apply the law". 

 

In many countries also the police action is driven by the anti drug police departments (and most regulations relax rules in these cases for having proper search warrants, in fact often not requiring any warrant at all). That's the danger if some black sheep ...

 

Since Singapore changed the stance on homosexual sex, I assume we should fear less police action. Those should remain safe places. 

That might not apply to outdoor or public cruising spots. If it might get too rampant and cause reports, action by authorities might follow...

 

But bars here shouldn't operate (like some in Europe/ US) with dark room facilities within the premises. 

Probably that would cause some action by the authorities. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[singalion]

here is some more background on the raid: 

 

Taipei police reprimand 4 officers over inappropriate remarks during gay bar raid

Officers allegedly used inappropriate language during search at Commander D

 Oct. 5, 2026

 

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taipei police reprimanded four officers for making inappropriate remarks during a search of a gay bar in Taipei's Ximending area on Saturday.

 

The officers each received two reprimands after police reviewed body-camera footage and confirmed they made inappropriate comments during the search at Commander D, the Taipei City Police Department said Monday, per FTNN. The detective team leader who supervised the operation was given a demerit for failing to stop the remarks. Wanhua Precinct Chief Chen Yung-hua (陳勇華) faced disciplinary action over inadequate supervision.

 

Police obtained a warrant to search the bar following 13 complaints against the establishment this year. The operation drew criticism from LGBTQ groups, who alleged officers used inappropriate language, including an alleged remark made to a person with a disability.

 

Police said officers found used condoms and customers without clothing. Fifty-one people were taken into custody for questioning, FTNN reported. They were released after clarifying the situation. 

 

The bar's owner, identified by his surname Chung (鍾), was referred to the Taipei District Prosecutors Office on suspicion of breaching public decency laws.

 

Police said the search warrant was limited to the establishment and was not aimed at a particular group or sexual orientation. Wanhua Precinct also inspected 16 other businesses that night as part of a previously planned expanded operation, rather than adding the inspections in response to the controversy.

 

Taipei Police Commissioner Lin Yen-tien (林炎田) said officers did present the search warrant at the scene, per CNA. Chen requested two reprimands for himself over inadequate supervision.

 

The police department said it would review its enforcement procedures and strengthen training, requiring officers to respect Taiwan's diverse society and residents' rights while on duty, according to FTNN. 

 

 

[MasterFitMalaySG4U]

Our police 🚓 deserved the right to enter any premises if u don't take dru** or consume pop or chill why need to be trigger? What makes you exemption? 

 

As you know our Singapore is a straight country. If want to do something wild hardcore do it outdoor like me haha thrilling adventure hungry everyday no drama also the job objective is hard horny wild adventure side fun sex group blah3.....

 

Our country still into men and women just put this in your mf head. Put away your ego. 

 

I also notice increasing pretentious clubs this is not Bali or Miami 🤣 this is majulah Asian country. 

 

 

[Anon_cock]

i thought our police will routinely spot check gay sauna? then the sauna will turn on all the lights?

my friend told me one...

[Why?]

How is this even possible.   The current government is a DEMOCRATIC PROGRESSIVE party. Almost very "WESTERNISED", as they wanted the world to believe.   Was it not????  I want to believe that William Lai is a dictator disguised as progressive. 

[And then]

54 minutes ago, Why? said:

How is this even possible.   The current government is a DEMOCRATIC PROGRESSIVE party. Almost very "WESTERNISED", as they wanted the world to believe.   Was it not????  I want to believe that William Lai is a dictator disguised as progressive. 

They have local government, which in Taipei's case, is controlled by Kuomintang. The mayor is Chiang Wan-an , who is facing an election later this year.
He has not done too well in recent polls, so this is certainly something to shore up his conservative votes.

 

Nasty.

[GachiMuchi]

The likelihood of a raid on sauna should be thing of the past.  Back 20 over years ago when I was working in one of the sauna, the few instances of police officers coming in to check; they would ask nicely ask to check the sauna because they had report of drugs or the case of an AWOL army personel.

Incident of big raid like that of One Seven Sauna was rare. 

 

I had been to Commander D and I know that they do have "Live“ shows (which I did not get to see, when I was there) with guys being bound and naked.

IF the gay pubs in Sg were to do what Caommander D does; which I know they wouldn't, the authorities Might raid on the pretext of indecency or public exposure, which would be a NO-NO in SG. Most Pub in Sg are pretty law abiding and knows what they can or cannot do. Drag shows, yes, SM live show, certainly a No. SG pubs are tame when compared to Pubs overseas. 

[Anon_cock]

tbh before 377A was repealed I also scared cause gahmen can just enforce it and gay sex is a crime... but now that it is repealed there is nothing wrong with gay bar right? or gay sauna? morally wrong? possibly? but we are just having sex with our own kind, straight community shouldn't have a problem right.

[ShyAndUnsure]

5 hours ago, Anon_cock said:

tbh before 377A was repealed I also scared cause gahmen can just enforce it and gay sex is a crime... but now that it is repealed there is nothing wrong with gay bar right? or gay sauna? morally wrong? possibly? but we are just having sex with our own kind, straight community shouldn't have a problem right.

That's a misunderstanding. It is not against the law to have consensual sex between guys as long as it does not involve commercial sex violations, public nuisance, or minors.

 

The minute you set up a business, that business is governed by commercial laws regardless of 377A status.

 

Just because heterosexual sexual activities are not under 377A did not mean that one can set up a business to facilitate sexual activities between heterosexual partners. That is the reason why many of those Chinatown sex shops massage shops keep getting raided by the police, even till today, when it is basically a female masseur and a male client. It isn't that the "straight community" have a problem with gays having sex in a bar or club. It is that Singapore society as a whole (both straight and otherwise) have largely endorsed a view that sexual activities should be kept in private, and that business dealing with sex are to be disallowed for moral order. 

 

In some other society, say Amsterdam, that may be allowed. And in even rarer places, perhaps even sex in public is ok. Whether that constitutes a freer or better society is a different conversation altogether, but what matters here is that Singapore at the moment does not condone it, regardless of straight or gay sex. 

 

 

20 hours ago, GachiMuchi said:

I had been to Commander D and I know that they do have "Live“ shows (which I did not get to see, when I was there) with guys being bound and naked.

IF the gay pubs in Sg were to do what Caommander D does; which I know they wouldn't, the authorities Might raid on the pretext of indecency or public exposure, which would be a NO-NO in SG. Most Pub in Sg are pretty law abiding and knows what they can or cannot do. Drag shows, yes, SM live show, certainly a No. SG pubs are tame when compared to Pubs overseas. 

Based on some forum posts, I think there are some bars in Singapore that are actually stepping over the line. BW users should make their choices with their eyes open and not naively assume that just because 377A has been taken down, things will be fine. What happened in Taipei can happen here too. 

[Guest waahaahahahah]

20 hours ago, Anon_cock said:

tbh before 377A was repealed I also scared cause gahmen can just enforce it and gay sex is a crime... but now that it is repealed there is nothing wrong with gay bar right? or gay sauna? morally wrong? possibly? but we are just having sex with our own kind, straight community shouldn't have a problem right.

welll.....i have that kinky feeling of a policeman in full uniformed, barged into my room and saw my legs raised the air, spread nicely wide that screamed "you are welcomed" while another guy starts putting on condom in full view of the cops.  The scene will be fully captured and memorised in those cops's memories for as long as they live to remember

[Guest Fattchoy]

Something happened in Taiwan and triggered fear in Singaporeans. Talk about projection.  These types of keyboard might as well worry about the Ebola.  Buy lots of masks and toilet paper.  Stay at home, order food delivery and j.o.