Hong Kong Celebrates World Toilet Day with Award-Winning Public Toilets in Tsuen Wan District

FEHD wins consecutive best public toilet awards and selects outstanding toilet attendants

​A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said that today (November 19) is World Toilet Day, and the department is delighted to have won consecutive gold and silver awards this year in the annual Hong Kong's Best Public Toilet Award organised by the Hong Kong Toilet Association.

The Hoi Hing Road Public Toilet in Tsuen Wan District has won the gold award, while the Sunny Bay Public Toilet in the same district has won the silver award.

"In recent years, the FEHD has been enhancing the facilities, management and hygiene of public toilets (PTs), taking a multifaceted approach to provide a better user experience for both the public and tourists. We are delighted to learn that the PTs of the FEHD have consistently received top honours, winning best toilet awards in consecutive years. This recognition is a testament to the department's hard work and dedication."

The FEHD currently manages some 810 PTs. Since 2019-20, the FEHD and Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) have been proactively forging ahead with the Enhanced Public Toilet Refurbishment Programme. As of September this year, full refurbishment or facelifting for about 370 PTs has been rolled out, with approximately 160 of these projects already completed. By planning ahead, streamlining or compressing preliminary work flows and adopting new construction methods and technologies, the FEHD and the ArchSD aim to commence full refurbishment or facelifting works for the remaining some 300 PTs across the territory by the end of 2028.

The FEHD employs technologies to enhance the service of PTs. For instance, sensors are installed in suitable PTs to monitor usage rates, environmental parameters, and the operating status of electrical and mechanical equipment in real time. Additionally, the department is utilising novel air purification technologies to eliminate odours and improve air quality. The FEHD is also considering the use of nano ozone bubble technology in flushing water to enhance the effectiveness of deodorisation and disinfection. Furthermore, public toilet cleansing services are gradually being separated from the street cleansing services contracts and procured independently under dedicated contracts with stricter requirements for contractors' staff vocational training to elevate their service standards.

"Frontline toilet attendants play a crucial role in ensuring the cleanliness and hygiene of PTs. To acknowledge their contributions, the FEHD recently conducted an election to recognise outstanding toilet attendants. After a thorough assessment, six outstanding toilet attendants were selected for commendation. Three male toilet attendants serving at the Hoi Hing Road Public Toilet in Tsuen Wan District, the Kwai Hing Station Bus Terminus Public Toilet in Kwai Tsing District and the Pound Lane Public Toilet and Bathhouse in Central and Western District respectively, and three female toilet attendants serving at the Science Museum Road Public Toilet in Yau Tsim District, the Rumsey Street Multi-Storey Carpark Public Toilet in Central and Western District and the Tai Hang Road Public Toilet in Wan Chai District respectively were selected", the spokesman said.

In response to the observation of the Hong Kong Toilet Association, the FEHD has enhanced the cleansing service and management of the public toilet on the ground floor of Tsuen Wan Market, and has included it in the refurbishment programme to improve its overall condition.

The spokesman added, "The FEHD will continue to enhance the facilities and service quality of PTs through innovative ideas." The department appealed to the public to maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of public facilities and help ensure that PTs are well cared for.

FEHD wins consecutive best public toilet awards and selects outstanding toilet attendants Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD wins consecutive best public toilet awards and selects outstanding toilet attendants Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD wins consecutive best public toilet awards and selects outstanding toilet attendants Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD wins consecutive best public toilet awards and selects outstanding toilet attendants Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD wins consecutive best public toilet awards and selects outstanding toilet attendants Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD wins consecutive best public toilet awards and selects outstanding toilet attendants Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD wins consecutive best public toilet awards and selects outstanding toilet attendants Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD wins consecutive best public toilet awards and selects outstanding toilet attendants Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport

Hong Kong Customs detected a drug trafficking case involving two incoming air passengers at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (May 1) and seized about 12 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $2.3 million, and nine suspected duty-not-paid cigarettes.

A 37-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a total of about 6kg of suspected cannabis buds in his carry-on baggage. The man was subsequently arrested. After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers further arrested a 34-year-old male passenger, who also arrived from Bangkok, Thailand, and was suspected to be connected with the case, at the airport on the same day. During baggage examination, Customs officers found a total of about 6kg of suspected cannabis buds and nine duty-not-paid cigarettes in his carry-on baggage.

After an investigation, the two arrested persons involved in the case have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. Moreover, the 34-year-old arrestee has also been charged with one count of possession of dutiable goods and one count of failing to declare to a member of the Customs and Excise Service the possession of dutiable goods. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on May 4.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, any person who imports, possesses, sells or buys dutiable commodities without a valid licence commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases