Of course, that's up to the Thai people and their culture. Being from the USA, I think all laws should be the same for all genders. Now I know that's not how many of my fellow countrymen think, and also is not how all laws are applied in my home country, But, IMO, they should be. So, my preference would be if there were a law against females "going topless in public," I think that should also apply to all genders. There could be an age boundary on that, like 10 years old.

On 6/27/2026 at 4:37 PM, connda said:

I was walking down Thapae without a shirt years back and some nanny-state lover stopped on his motorbike to tell me that he thought I should put a shirt on.
I told him what I'd tell anyone. "I think you should mind your own business." 👈🏼 (That's the PG rated version) I laughed him off and kept walking.

Shows exactly what type of person you are then.

Time and a place for it but sitting eating in a restaurant is a no without a top on.

Times change, culture changes.

It's less than 70 years ago that Thai peasant women went everywhere topless + sarong.

Should you keep your nose in your own business?

If you don't want to not wear a shirt then dress up in 10 layers of clothing just like back in Siberia comrade ✅

It should be against any countries law to allow men to go topless in public and it should be a finable offence although common sense should tell you it is OK to be topless at the beach (this should be allowed for women also) or even sunbathing in a local park, common sense again.

On 6/27/2026 at 11:24 AM, Rockyroad said:

No it's fascism. I want to see nude people.

So you would like to oggle at these big bellied big titted guys???? It's obvious which foot you kick with.😀

I'm on Koh Phangan at the moment, having used the island previously as my relaxation spot between teaching in Myanmar.

Apart from the large number of hippies, (who IMHO look like the something out of The Life of Brian - I even saw a Jesus lookalike 'farang' in Supercheap wearing nothing but a loincloth, no shoes, long plaited hair, no shoes - what a d *ck lol!!), the number of farang men people walking around or riding motorbikes topless is huge - simply no education about good manners....

Oh and of course no brains either - no crash helmet and Dr Google says "While there are smaller island nations and territories where localized scooter rates occasionally fluctuate higher in per-capita rankings, Thailand remains globally recognized for having one of the most dangerous road environments for motorcyclists",

... and "While official localized per-capita figures aren't strictly isolated by the government, medical and local consensus on Koh Phangan—along with neighboring Koh Samui—confirms that the island’s motorcycle mortality and accident rates are disproportionately higher than the mainland".

Well up to them - Darwin rules will apply....

Edited June 29Jun 29 by simon43

On 6/27/2026 at 2:57 PM, richard_smith237 said:

Agreed.

That's the nuance many people miss.

Thais generally don't find shirtlessness inherently offensive. Wander through countless backstreets and sub-sois and you'll see older local men in sarongs, often shirtless It's an entirely normal sight.

The issue isn't whether someone has a shirt on, it's where they don't.

Most people, Thai or foreign, instinctively know the difference between a residential lane, a beach or poolside, and walking into a shopping area, restaurant or 7-Eleven. The problem is that some foreigners simply ignore those social cues.

It's no different to taking your shoes off before entering a small shop when there's a pile of footwear outside the door.

Nobody needs a law explaining it. You see what's appropriate, you show a bit of respect, and you get on with your day.

The irritation isn't caused by bare chests. It's caused by the combination of carelessness, arrogance and a refusal to read the room. That's what winds some people up, not the absence of a T-shirt itself.

"It's no different to taking your shoes off before entering a small shop when there's a pile of footwear outside the door." If I walk into a shop I'm damned if I am going to sit on the step to take off my velcrowed sandals. Common sense is more important than any local customs. Although if there are chairs there then common sense would tell me I should sit there and remove my sandals.

Sorry for being a bit off topic.

YES, YES, YES!! In the US there is a show called “Cops” - every loser that gets arrested is shirtless - These A/O’s that go shirtless here are the same kind of #Losers!!! Dumb as a F'ing stump!! Put a shirt on A/O!!?

Edited June 29Jun 29 by JohnO958

3 hours ago, ronster said:

Time and a place for it but sitting eating in a restaurant is a no without a top on.

It's simple - NO SHIRT, NO SHOES, NO SERVICE!!!

Living in a tourist area, I still can't understand foreigners coming into supermarkets and restaurants without a shirt on. And business owners allowing it or afraid to say anything. Restaurants should have a "no shirt, no entry" policy. I don't want to be looking at somebody's sweaty armpits while eating my pad krapao.

2 hours ago, NoshowJones said:

"It's no different to taking your shoes off before entering a small shop when there's a pile of footwear outside the door." If I walk into a shop I'm damned if I am going to sit on the step to take off my velcrowed sandals. Common sense is more important than any local customs. Although if there are chairs there then common sense would tell me I should sit there and remove my sandals.

Sorry for being a bit off topic.

It's not off topic at all. It's really about showing a basic level of respect for the place you're in and the people around you.

If a shop has a pile of shoes outside, that's a pretty clear indication footwear comes off. If you're not prepared to do that, it's probably better to walk on by. This obviously doesn't apply to malls or larger retailers, but it's common in smaller shops, massage parlours and beachside businesses where they're trying to keep the place clean.

A few weeks ago I returned a Shopee parcel at a small Flash Express outlet in Bangkok. There were shoes outside, so I took my trainers off. The staff glanced at my feet as I entered in, clearly checking whether I'd followed the custom. The interaction was friendly from start to finish.

Read the proverbial room. I sometimes wonder how many of the people who regularly complain about rude or unfriendly encounters are simply unaware of the small courtesies and social cues they've ignored along the way.

2 hours ago, simon43 said:

I'm on Koh Phangan at the moment, having used the island previously as my relaxation spot between teaching in Myanmar.

Apart from the large number of hippies, (who IMHO look like the something out of The Life of Brian - I even saw a Jesus lookalike 'farang' in Supercheap wearing nothing but a loincloth, no shoes, long plaited hair, no shoes - what a d *ck lol!!),

Hanging out of the loin cloth ?? - that impressed by it ?

Have you rented a motorcycle to get around ? do you wear flip-flops ? - it makes me cringe thinking how feet get destroyed even at a slow-off.... At least get something more substantial - trainers or closed toe sandals etc - like keen H2's)

2 hours ago, simon43 said:

the number of farang men people walking around or riding motorbikes topless is huge - simply no education about good manners....

To be fair - you're on a very 'beach orientated Island' - travelling around the 'beach roads' I think shirtlessness would be quite normalised there - its a bit different in Surrathani - but on small island coastal roads - I'd expect it.

2 hours ago, simon43 said:

Oh and of course no brains either - no crash helmet and Dr Google says "While there are smaller island nations and territories where localized scooter rates occasionally fluctuate higher in per-capita rankings, Thailand remains globally recognized for having one of the most dangerous road environments for motorcyclists",

Agreed - its not hard to put on a lid - even in these areas.

2 hours ago, simon43 said:

... and "While official localized per-capita figures aren't strictly isolated by the government, medical and local consensus on Koh Phangan—along with neighboring Koh Samui—confirms that the island’s motorcycle mortality and accident rates are disproportionately higher than the mainland".

Well up to them - Darwin rules will apply....

Poor quality sandy roads - more drunk riding - less helmet wearing - more inexperienced tourists - more drunk people (locals and foreigners) riding at night.

To be fair - on Koh Samet - I hired a small motorcycle with my Son riding Pillion - we both took decent bicycle helmets which we wore (I know they had no decent helmets there) and our bicycle helmets were better - A reasonable compromise for small and very slow island roads - we explored and had a great day out (thats the only time my son has ever been on a motorcycle with me - evaluating the risks - we were perfectly within my risk profile for this activity with him).

But thats a bit different from Samui or Koh Phangan where the roads are faster, there is more traffic and both locals and tourists alike give no quarter or regard for road rules.

Yes! Begin immediately if not sooner.

There have been reports of topless drivers of vehicles being fined by police which implies it is illegal.

Will never happen in Thailand as the country is begging, pleading, crying out for tourists. It's quick and easy money without having to educate the masses.

If it became known that you could be fined for going shirtless in Thailand, a very hot country, there are other choices for people, like Vietnam.

20 hours ago, JohnO958 said:

It's simple - NO SHIRT, NO SHOES, NO SERVICE!!!

Have seen several restaurants refuse service for this . If someone came into my bar /restaurant before with no shirt on we asked them to wear it . If they said they didn't have one we would buy one for 100 bht from shop next door and give it to them .

Made money back from food and drink as usually was a group of blokes 😃