Is it possible to get a visa for India in Chiang Mai? I plan on going to Thailand in March and then India 5 months later. Should I get a visa sorted back home in Ireland first?

You will have to go to Bangkok if you get it here, so if you can get it there before you come it would be easier. Here's the like to the requirements: http://www.indianembassy.in.th/pages.php?id=18

There is a consulate in Chiang Mai: http://www.embassypages.com/missions/embassy4916/

Indian visas are I believe only good for up to 6 months so unless you are only staying a couple of weeks then no point in getting the visa at home. Apply in Chiang Mai and suggest paying the consulate a visit beforehand to get latest listing of requirements.

Although info I posted says it has to be submitted in Bangkok, there is an Indian Consulate in Chiang Mai but there's no info on the site regarding visas. I would contact them direct and see if the service is available there. Here's the link: http://www.indianembassy.in.th/pages.php?id=6 Sorry for any confusion.

Moved to Visa to other countries.

There was just an article in the newspaper the other day saying that 40+ countries can now get an Indian visa online. I think Ireland was one of them. The article I saw was brief, but said you apply online, wait 4-5 days, then can pick up the visa on arrival. Definately worth looking into.

There was just an article in the newspaper the other day saying that 40+ countries can now get an Indian visa online. I think Ireland was one of them. The article I saw was brief, but said you apply online, wait 4-5 days, then can pick up the visa on arrival. Definately worth looking into.

No Ireland isn't one of the selected countries, it's a very diverse list.

There is already a thread running on the new visa on arrival process, that includes all the details http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779873-india-opens-tourist-e-visa-door-to-43-countries/

However should the OP be legally resident in Thailand he wont need to go back to Ireland to get a visa, he can certainly apply in Bangkok though I don't know about Chiang Mai, I suspect not.

http://www.indianembassy.in.th/pages.php?id=18

More info on VOA

http://m.wsj.com/articles/BL-IRTB-27374

Last time I applied for an Indian visa they required evidence of residence in the country of application, if that was not the applicant's country of nationality. You don't need permanent residence but you would need at least a work permit and non-immB visa or a one year retirement or marriage visa, if you apply for a bricks and mortar visa, assuming Irish nationals can't apply online yet.

India is starting to realise they are losing a lot of tourist trade through the airline traffic that routes via Mumbai and Delhi but never leaves the terminal.

The airports at both locations are some of the worst in the world. The service if you can call it that is the same. Getting a short visa en route has been a nightmare so they have lost a lot of trade.

They are now waking up to the fact there is big money to be made from tourism and so the airport at Mumbai is being redeveloped and they visa system is being realigned to reflect visa on arrival is a good move.

Looks like it will be mid 2015 before it all kicks in. Apart from work I avoid the place.