In the tropics your problem is heat and rain. Any material in the tropics will be taking in water, and when it rains it rains so hard your eyes will hurt from all the rain rubbing against them. Thin clothes dry fast, and no clothes is twice as good. If the sun is too hot just take a siesta.
In the desert, wind is your enemy because it sprays loose matter everywhere. Hence tents and flowing clothes for protection.
If you're farming in the tropics you want long sleeve thin clothing to limit Sun damage. Broad hats are also ideal.
It's almost FAFO with Vietnam. They've been clearing forests at an incredibly stupid rate. Most of the SEA would be world leaders in stupid behaviour if it wasn't so common across the world since globalisation ramped up.