From my experience being in koh phangan, there are half naked people a plenty and a "free-love" scene available IF that is what you are into. The thousands of half naked tourists who stay in the islands means even if it's not behaviour/attire that is culturally acceptable for thais themselves it is in no way shocking to them to see farang being this way.What I'm saying is that how much dress, or what dress is a non issue as it always is when people are attacked. The perpetrator is always responsible. Any decent human being would make sure someone was safe if they came across them half naked, drugged up or drunk. I'm not saying D and M were either of these things but just echoing the sentiment that the victim is never at fault, as Elainera has said.In some countries, how you dress can definitely contribute to attention being created, a person being singled out, followed etc. Doesn't mean the victim is at fault, EVER. But the fact is that sexuality is extremely repressed in some countries (you only understand this really when you live there for some time) and a woman displaying skin in a way we in the West find absolutely acceptable and normal and unarousing (arms, shoulders, neck, legs, etc), WILL get unwanted attention. Add alcohol and dark hours to the mix (on the side of the perps) and it can get sticky real fast. Again, NOT the fault of the victim, any victim. jmo
Here is a link to a blog with a detailed inside eye on how the islands "work" in light of recent events:-well worth a read IMO
http://mikeestravels.com/2014/09/25/the-dark-side-of-thailands-island-paradise/