If you really want to tip yourself over the edge, price a few itineraries out of CMB (Columbo).
An example:
SIN-JFK in J = US$7631
CMB-JFK in J = US$4031
Even buying the SIN-CMB-SIN leg to connect costs you all of SGD$500 (in Y) and it goes on to DXB anyway.
The weird and wonderful world of yield management and airfares I'm afraid. Good deals also ex BKK