Taiwanese tourist faces backlash for hiding luggage in bush to avoid fees in HK

A Taiwanese visitor recently sparked controversy online after posting a video on Threads, where she demonstrated how she avoided luggage storage fees by hiding her suitcase in a bush while visiting the Tian Tan Buddha in Hong Kong.

In the video, she initially considered concealing her luggage behind a drawer but decided against it due to the location being too exposed. 

She then found a bush that seemed a perfect hiding spot and expressed satisfaction after placing her suitcase there. She confidently left her luggage unattended for about four hours and returned to find it untouched.

The visitor claimed that nothing was missing from the suitcase and humorously remarked in her video that "no one can take money from the Taiwanese Hakka people." 

She also mentioned that she was prepared to lose her belongings and would not search for them if they were lost. Additionally, she stated her willingness to cooperate if security or staff highlighted the issue of leaving luggage unattended.

However, her actions received significant backlash online. Some netizens accused her of being careless just to save a small amount of money, equating her actions to littering. 

They warned that if caught, she could face a fine of HK$3,000. Many expressed disappointment, stating that she was disgracing both Taiwanese and Hakka communities. Comments suggested that her actions lacked civic sense and portrayed her as trying to be clever by flouting local norms.

There were also calls from netizens urging her to adhere to local regulations in Hong Kong, highlighting the potential consequences if everyone followed her example. They suggested that she should stay at home if her intention was solely to save money.

In Hong Kong, local laws impose a fixed penalty of HK$3,000 for littering in public places, spitting, displaying posters or flyers without permission, and allowing dog feces to soil the streets.