luluanator

Here's an interesting fact from wikipedia:  "Thai Cultural Mandates issued in 1939 and Western writings prove Thai women would go clothed fully or topless in public before the westernization of dress. In the late 19th century the influence of missionaries and modernization under King Rama V encouraged local women to wear blouses to cover their breasts.  Until the early 20th century, women from northern Thailand wore a long tube-skirt (Pha-Sin), tied high above their waist and below their breasts, which were uncovered".  

It was mainly Western influences that encouraged Thai women, and many others in SE Asia, to cover up their breasts.

As a guest in Thailand, I think it is important to respect the culture, but I do wish toplessness was permitted like it was in the last century.  Nothing like a swim in the ocean in with no top on.  You men know what it is like.