Thailand vs Seychelles

Cost

Thailand, checked 19 September 2026: an inexpensive restaurant meal ฿100, range ฿50-200; a three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant ฿900, range ฿600-2,500; a pint of domestic draught ฿70.

Seychelles, checked 16 July 2026: an inexpensive restaurant meal SCR265; a three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant SCR1,305; a pint of domestic draught SCR110. From 130 entries by 16 contributors — the same caveat applies.

One of the wider gaps in this directory, even allowing for the thin Seychelles dataset.

Getting there

Bangkok is the international gateway, with Phuket taking some direct international flights. Domestic connections reach both coasts in about an hour, then ferries to the islands; overnight trains run south more slowly. Thailand's rules changed on 15 September 2026: the 60-day exemption was revoked, the 30-day tourism exemption was revised and expanded to 60 countries and territories, and a new 15-day scheme was introduced for two. Anyone already in the country under the old rules keeps their permitted stay. Older guidance is now wrong, so check your own nationality. All arrivals must submit a Thailand Digital Arrival Card, free on the official site.

Seychelles International on Mahé is the gateway, with Praslin and La Digue reached by domestic flight or ferry. Seychelles requires no visa, but an Electronic Travel Authorisation is mandatory and must be obtained BEFORE departure — every traveller, including anyone arriving by sea. A Visitor's Permit follows on arrival for up to three months, extendable in three-month blocks to twelve, against a return ticket, confirmed accommodation and sufficient funds.

Two entry things worth flagging: Thailand's rules changed four days before these were checked, and Seychelles' authorisation must be obtained before you fly.

The beaches

Seychelles wins this clearly.

Granite on pale sand, public and walkable across three islands, is specific in a way Thailand's beaches are not — and Thailand's best bays are busy enough that several carry visitor caps.

Thailand's compensation is that whichever coast is in season is calm and warm, and there is always one. No sourced beach-level data for either yet.

In this directory: Thailand has 2 beaches listed, 2 rated calm for swimming. Seychelles has 2, 1 calm.

When to go

Thailand's Andaman coast takes heavy south-west monsoon storms April to October and is in high season from November. The Gulf coast's heaviest rain is September to December. There is no month when some Thai coast is out of season, but there are months when the coast you booked is.

The Seychelles inner islands are dry December to April and wet June to October, and the difference between the two is mainly wind and rainfall rather than temperature.

December to April suits both — Seychelles' inner islands dry, Thailand's Andaman coast in high season. June to October is awkward for Seychelles and fine for Thailand's Gulf.

Beyond the beach

Thailand wins outright: cities, food, a rail network, a north.

Seychelles has three islands and a capital on Mahé, and the moving between them as part of the trip. A much smaller menu, deliberately.