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How to stay out of trouble when abroad

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Last week a Brit was jailed forposing naked on a sacred mountain in Malaysia. It wasn't that long ago that a couple kissing publicly in Dubai faced a similar fate.

Indeed if you even swear on Whats-App while in the Emirates you could be fined £45,000. And if you are contemplating debauched drunken behaviour in Magaluf this summer you may end up forking out €3,000 for the privilege.

So before travelling it's worth taking note of what could get you into trouble abroad.

● France : You are legally bound to drive with two breathalysers in the car, and it's illegal to carry a device that can detect speed cameras, eg, a satnav.

● Spain: Tourists who wander the streets of Barcelona clad only in their swimming costumes face fines of £265. While in Majorca, authorities have banned bikini wearers from areas away from the city's beaches. Those who defy the ban face £500 fines.

● Greece: It is illegal to take pictures of government buildings, churches and even aircraft. Cast your mind back to 2001 when 12 plane-spotters were jailed for espionage after allegedly taking photos of a military air base.

● Cyprus: Don't even think about honking your horn when close to a hospital.

● Singapore: Since 1992 it has been illegal to chew gum in public. The only exception is nicotine gum, only available on prescription.

● Thailand: It is illegal to criticise the King or any member of the royal family - even deceased monarchs. The crime is known as "Lèse majesté" and the punishment can be a prison sentence of three to 15 years.

● Jamaica: It is illegal to wear camouflage clothing on this Caribbean island.

● Japan: In the land that brought us sumo wrestling, you are forbidden to be fat. The law states that men over 40 should not have a waist measuring more than 80cm, and women over 90cm.

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