Stubby

Bad timing on my part, Treetops.

Thank you very much, SMIAI ;)

No, I haven't, Nick, I'm just not ruling it out as an option, that's all. I appreciate everyone who's taken time to give advice. In fact, I've been surprised at how many eyeballs this topic has received. The reason I 'may' consider an agent is That's scary, Sandyf, thanks for your input. I have also found Chinese airline to be the best across the platforms, so it looks like that might be the way to go.

Thanks for all the suggestions, folks. I've viewed the suggested services and they seem to offer the same flight choices at similar prices. I'm not in a rush, but I'm going to avoid those 29 hour flights that use different planes for various legs. I'm thinking it might be easier to just pay a bit extra and let an agency do the searching and booking for me. Stubby

It's working this morning, thanks, Yagoda. I'll take a look later.

I won't be returning until November at the earliest, but I might not get back for 15 months. I'll know more after I get back to the UK. Because the return date is uncertain, I plan to just get a one-way ticket, SMIAI.

5, 6, 7th will work. Why do you ask?

It might be good if I could get it to load in English, Yagoda. For some strange reason, the pages are in Dutch. I'll try again later.

Thanks Nick, and Harrisfan, I appreciate your responses ;)

Good afternoon, forum, I'm flying to the UK soon after a long absence. It's my first long-haul flight for almost 10 years. Can anyone recommend an agency that offers the best prices? Or is it just better to search online and book via the web? I'm not in a rush, so I'm not fussed about one or two stopovers. Thank you, Stubby

China has come a long way in recent times, Yagoda, and no longer churn out the cheap, tacky crap it used to. We might not like it, but I say ignore Chinese made goods in 2025 at your peril. As for Benelli, the Chinese didn't just buy the company and do their own thing. Italy still has a significant role in Benelli even after the acquisition by the Chinese Qianjiang Motorcycle group. In fact, the Benelli QJ headquarters remain in Pesaro, Italy. This is where the design and research & development (R&D) activities for Benelli motorcycles continues. I wonder how many folks even know that. BTW, I've just posted my Benelli TRK 502 Tourer in the classified ads if anyone's interested in that.

Aren't most things made in China these days, or at least assembled there? Most people have no idea just how much of the stuff they buy (whatever it may be) comes out of that country. Also, some motorcycles manufactured in China might be sold under different, potentially more familiar, brand names in specific markets. And how many genuine and aftermarket parts and accessories come out of China? I doubt most people spending just 35K on a beautiful secondhand, customized motorcycle are worried about depreciation a few years down the road.

Yes, and how could anyone disagree that the best person for the job is the right person to take on, regardless of whether they're a man, woman, beast, gay, straight, or Australian.

Don't you feel that you might just be influenced (subconsciously manipulated) by the news and sources you choose to follow? British history is not all bad you know, and few nations have a squeaky clean past.

This is not only the best, most logical approach, it's also potentially life saving, depending on the industry.

Yes, the TNT 300 was sold. I had a total of 9 interested parties for that bike, but most were time wasters. I also questioned the motives of some of them. At least half the interested parties seemed more interested in my full home address (not location) than arranging a day and time to view the bike. The much larger tourer didn't attract much attention. It's a beautiful bike and super comfortable, so I'll going to put it into storage along with my other stuff.

I've had two 10 year passport renewals in Thailand. Never had to deal with countersigned photos. I assume all agencies offer the same service as the application has to go through the same processes. Tip: Make sure you get passport photos from a shop that does them all the time (ask for recommendations). You hear a lot of stories where the new photos are rejected for incorrect composition, background shade, wrong size, and even slight under or over exposure.

That's what I did. Got the photos from a small shop in Mae Hia (floor above Rimping) for 150 THB. The agencies have all the forms, do all the photocopying, and just point to where you need to sign. That's it! Sit back and relax as you wait for your new 10 year passport to return.

8 REASONS WHY PLANT FOODS ARE NOT SUPERFOODS All plants contain many defense chemicals [1] Plants contain antinutrients [2] The bioavailability of plant nutrients is very low (it's never mentioned) [3] Most of today's plant foods never existed in the natural world [4] Plants have lost much of their nutrient content in the past 50 years [5] Plants are carbohydrates (the only non-essential macronutrient) [6] Fruits and veggies are responsible for bloating, gas, and weight gain [7] [8] Fiber is not essential and could actually be harmful [9] Therefore, I concur with other posters in that animal-based foods offer the most nutrient dense and bioavailable superfoods for humans. Red meat scaremongering and saturated fat phobia are so wrong, and those who spout such rubbish should be…. Resources 1. https://www.doctorkiltz.com/plant-toxins/ 2. https://draxe.com/nutrition/antinutrients/ 3. https://khni.kerry.com/news/plant-based/nutrition-for-plant-based-diets-managing-nutrient-intake-and-bioavailability/ 4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxphB0mLLDQ 5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax0SIbxgqDw 6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=bDXtf5VbGk0&t 7. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322559 8. https://www.businessinsider.com/weight-gain-vegan-diet-2018-11 9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaCgFVMZU_w

Thanks, John. The idea was 35 raffle tickets (give or take) at 1000 THB, but if it's an illegal activity here, then I don't want to risk promoting it. I'd like to keep all three of my bikes, but I have to return to the UK unexpectedly. Ideally, I'll be back next high season, but I can't know for sure. Keeping three bikes and a mountain bike in storage along with a bunch of other stuff can get a tad costly, especially without a guaranteed return date. I've did research, and price I'm asking is very fair, but it's tough selling a bike right after the high season. Whoever gets it is probably going to get the best looking, Benelli TNT 300 on the road.

I did wonder, hence the opening line. I don't have 35 friends who would love a Benelli TNT 300, otherwise I would have tried that route first. Never mind, it was just an idea.

Mods, feel free to delete this post if it's inappropriate. BENELLI BIKE RAFFLE As my beautiful, custom Benelli is an expensive looking yet inexpensive bike to buy, I was wondering if a good way to sell it would be to hold a raffle. Just 35 tickets at 1000 THB would get my asking price, and the lucky winner would get to ride into the sunset on a stunning motorcycle for less than $30. It's just an idea.

Yes, I intended to keep it, hence spending money on the extra customizations. I wasn't expecting to head back home in 2025, otherwise I would have settled for one bike in stock condition (I have three).

So far, I've had a total of seven people interested in the bike, five from FB groups, and 2 from Baht Sold (no response from the others in the first list). So it looks as though FB marketplaces get the most eyeballs. The first question six of the interested parties asked is how much can I reduce the bike by without even viewing it. One buyer dropped out at the last minute, saying it would lose too much value if he decides to sell it on in a few years. I don't blame people asking for discounts, as I also try to negotiate with every bike I buy. I don't always succeed, but I always try. But it's still only a 35K bike, and in pristine condition. Heck, I've probably spent that on upgrades. It looks as though this beauty might end up in storage until I return. Just out or curiosity, I'd be interested to know what my fellow bikers think about the price? You can view the details here (scroll down to the second ad):