Lancashirelad

Any hotels undercutting the Agoda price risk getting kicked off the platform as it is in the contractual agreement that they must not.

As a former UK Driving Instructor (24 years part-time) having passed numerous advanced driving tests, several at high level + having driven a variety of vehicles in 14 countries: The OP turned across the path of an oncoming vehicle and collided with it. Before the days of magnetic boards with model vehicles I have drawn on paper this exact scenario as a learning point many times. In many countries, the UK & Thailand included, it is to be expected that 2 wheelers will filter up the nearside of stationary traffic, legally or otherwise. As drivers we have to constantly make allowances for the mistakes of other road users. In Thailand it is the norm for m/cycle riders to do this & the OP should have been well aware of that.

After 10 years it is more than ready for new shox. You will be surprised how much nicer it will drive with them. If brake pads are worn down to only 2.5mm of pad lining material left, they need doing. It won't be long before they go metal to metal. Old v new brake pads (and the old one looks to have 4 to 5mm left).

Be aware that if renting a 4x4 the insurance is unlikely to cover off road use.

I'd go for extra(s). Something like this might fit unobtrusively next to the number plate.

Having flown with Air Asia several times and only once with VJ, I'd say AA are definitely better. VJ had a difficult online booking procedure, unexplained price jumps as you progressed and at the airport check-in had to stand in a very long very slow moving line. It's a few years ago so I can't remember all the details, but I vowed not to use them again.

Any update on this?

I thought blue font plates are for hotel/hospitality business use? Black on white for private use. RetirecheapJC might be the man to ask, he used to drive a Hiace.