Taipei Metro drinking row involving Hong Kong pair sparks backlash
SingTao · 2 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A dispute at Taipei Metro’s Daan Station has drawn attention after footage showed a man with a Hong Kong accent being reminded not to drink inside the station, where eating and drinking are banned. The woman accompanying him argued that he had taken only one sip, and the incident escalated further when she made an obscene gesture toward staff as the pair boarded a train.
Key Points
- The incident took place on the platform at Daan Station in Taipei, where metro staff found a man drinking a beverage inside a no-eating-and-drinking area.
- Staff told the pair that continued drinking after a warning could lead to a fine of NT$1,500, while Taipei Metro later said violations can be fined from NT$1,500 to NT$7,500.
- Video cited by both reports shows the accompanying woman repeatedly arguing that the man had “only taken one sip” and questioning why staff mentioned repeated non-compliance.
- As the pair boarded the train, the woman turned back and raised her middle finger at staff; one report also said she uttered a vulgar Cantonese phrase.
- Taipei Metro said station security had already reported the case to police, and the operator would provide full judicial assistance while supporting staff subjected to improper treatment.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers travelling in Taiwan, the case is a reminder that Taipei Metro’s ban on eating and drinking applies inside the marked paid-area boundary, including water, unless a passenger is unwell and seeks staff assistance. The operator has also indicated that verbal confrontation and insulting gestures toward frontline staff may trigger police involvement and legal follow-up beyond the original rule breach.