Samaggi Sara Satawat 121

SAMAGGI SARA

SATAWAT

SAMAGGI SARA 121

ABOUT Samaggi Samagom

Samaggi Samagom is a non-profit Thai Student Association in the United Kingdom under the patronage of His Majesty the King of Thailand. Founded in 1901 by King Rama VI, it is the oldest, most prestigious Thai Association in Europe. It is also the largest, having a network of over 6,600 undergraduate and postgraduate Thai students living and studying in the United Kingdom as its members. We have links with over 63 university-level Thai societies and exist as a locus to connect and hold events for Thai students.

Overview of this year events

Samaggi Academic

Conference

and

Careers Fair (FEB 2022)

Abstract Competition

Samaggi CSR (AUG 2021)

Samaggi Summit (NOV 2021)

We raised a total of THB 282,000 to purchase 5 Oxygen High Flow Machines for COVID-19 patients at Mae Sot hospital, and donated 1,500 lunchboxes to Bussarakum Field Hospital

We hosted our annual meeting between Thai Society Presidents and Samaggi Samagom via Zoom in which there were over 35 participants

We hosted our 4 flagship annual academic events:

Samaggi

an academic abstract competition accepting submission from a wide variety of fields

5th FEB 2022

Samaggi Case Competition

a business case competition with exclusive mentoring sessions

Samaggi Seminar

Samaggi Careers Fair

Samaggi Games

a speaker series with exclusive discussion sessions by prominent figures from Thailand

an internship and recruitment fair with booth and interviews by leading Thai companies

SS121 Presi

Dear fellow students and friends,

We’re back!! Yes, Samaggi Sara is back and it has definitely been a while since we’ve published one of these but we are extremely excited to bring this one to you! The Samaggi team and Samaggi Sara Editorial Board have worked tirelessly to write and collect articles on varying topics from students all across the UK and I can personally assure you that you are in for a treat with this one. Expect to see internship reviews, restaurant recommendations, and much more as we promise you a jam-packed issue to make up for the many years worth of missed Samaggi Sara content and also to celebrate its 100th Anniversary!

Publishing this issue towards the end of the academic year also gives us the perfect opportunity to look back and reflect on our achievements this year. Saying that this year has been challenging would be a massive understatement due to the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, which has made some events - namely the much anticipated Samaggi Music Festival - impossible. That said, the team was not deterred in the slightest and did incredibly well to live up to the high standards set by the prior Samaggi teams. Looking ahead, we can definitely expect next year to be more or less similar to the pre-covid era with more exciting events and activities to be arranged soon.

I would also like to congratulate everyone on making it through this academic year! Like myself, I hope that all of you have enjoyed being back in the UK this year as it slowly but surely heads back to normality - and the summer sunshine of course! To all the leavers, the graduating class of 2022, I wish you the very best in your future endeavours and hope that along your journey Samaggi has given you an opportunity to expand your horizons academically and foster new connections through our various events. To all the other students, I hope you had a fantastic year. Now it’s time to put your feet up and relax, but to an extent of course because it’s not over yet. However fresh minds are key, so enjoy your deserved holidays and see you all in September.

I’m not going to keep you waiting any longer though, so I hope you do enjoy this issue of Samaggi Sara and look forward to what the next Samaggi team has in store for us as much as I do. It has been an honour to serve you as President this year and please stay happy and healthy.

Happy holidays, Nadhanont Kiatkulvanich (Oh) President of Samaggi Samagom 121

editor-in-Chief

Samaggi Sara is a place where diversity generates something greater than the sum of its parts. As someone who’s handled submissions and ideas for the magazine, I can personally say how inspiring it’s been to see the passion and personality of each author shine through in their writing. This is perfectly captured by the theme of the magazine, which will be later explained by our talented Chief Creative Designer.

2022 is a year of many important events, and I’ve tried to reflect this in the magazine. As we celebrate Samaggi Sara’s 100th anniversary (coinciding with the Platinum Jubilee), we’re truly honoured to feature an interview with His Excellency Mr. Pisanu Suvanajata, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the UK, whose tenure is drawing to a close this year, and his wife Mrs. Thipayasuda Suvanajata. The two of them have kindly acted as honorary advisors for the Association over the years. Their wisdom, practical help, and personal attendance to the Association’s events over the years has been invaluable to Samaggi Samagom.

Nothing might be able to perfectly capture our time in the UK; maybe it was the first time we learnt to be self-independent, the trips we made across the country, or the friends we bonded with over countless cups of boba. I hope that this magazine will serve as a reminder of that time, putting a smile on your face when you look back on the memories you’ve made, or maybe encouraging you to go out and make some more. And to those of you who’ve just begun your adventure in the UK, I wish you the best of luck! I hope you make the most of your time here.

Without further ado, I present to you Samaggi Sara 121. I hope you enjoy reading the articles as much as I do.

Nathnaree Wachirapichet (Angel) Editor-in-Chief Samaggi Sara 121

from

Chief creative designer

A platform for Thai students to voice their experiences of life in the UK. I envisioned this zine as a showcase of us Thai collectives. Exploring the cities, surely everyone would’ve seen graffiti and tags that have been put up throughout the areas. It is a culture not found in only the UK but in every city all over the world. However, the styles are distorted in ways integrated with each place’s cultures.

I realized that tags are something that represent us, not only to mark a person’s territory but rather proof of their existence in the place. Each tag builds up walls of individuals, forming some sort of a collective, like a group project. Whereas some people might dislike it, some might just perceive it as something aesthetically pleasing. As for me, I see it as a person’s contribution to the spaces around them, you could pick a tag name and follow that around like a treasure hunt, following their footsteps and acknowledging their experiences.

Connecting with the diverse range of people London has to offer, I’ve built in my head in a way, my own wall filled with different tags of people I know. This is why I want to incorporate an aspect of this “tagging” nature into this year’s Sammagi zine. Receiving subjects from various people with different passions, we are each putting up our contribution and leaving marks of our experiences.

Newmarket

Patawee Jintana

Sir Henry Cecil Open Weekend

Sir Henry Cecil Open Weekend at Newmarket

annual event

Patawee Jintana (Wee)

1st year Mechanical Engineering (PhD), Imperial College London

Regarded as a signature event in the art of British horseracing, National Racehorse Week is a compilation of nationwide race horse-related activities. The person behind this idea is Richard Phillips, a racehorse trainer who wants to share his ‘behind the scene moments’ from his day-to-day training and caretaking of horses. During the week of 12 - 19 September 2021, the inaugural National Racehorse Week was held with more than 100 trainers opening their yards to the general public. [1–2]

Across the nation, the event at Newmarket, the headquarter of horse racing, could be considered one of the best. It offers a wonderful learning experience in a wide range of topics from breeding to providing veterinary care for retired racehorses, suitable for someone who wants to open their door to the world of horse racing. This small town of Newmarket with a population of around 16,000, is home to 3,000 racehorses, two well known race courses (the Rowley Mile and the July Course), the National Stud, a racehorse auction house, breeding farms, stables, training yards, the national horseracing museum, and three equine hospitals. It is an epitome of horseracing.

According to a report published in March 2017, the horseracing industry in Newmarket circulated 240 million pounds annually and contributed to over 3,500 direct jobs. [3–4] These facts further support the status of Newmarket as the heart of horseracing in the UK.

Given the importance of the horseracing industry, a horse-racing themed open day event has been held annually in Newmarket since its latest restoration in 2012. In 2019, this event was renamed from ‘Newmarket Open Weekend’ to ‘Sirt Henry Cecil Open Weekend’ in honour of the late-great legendary trainer who was responsible for many successful racehorses, including the legendary Frankel. [5]

The 2021 Sir Henry Cecil Open Weekend marked the return of the in-person event after the unexpected setback of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was held between the days of 18 - 19 September 2021. [6]

There were many interesting events across Newmarket during the Sir Henry Cecil Open Weekend, including some I managed to experience over the course of two days as follows:

National Racehorse Week

Patawee Jintana (Wee)

National Stud Tour

The National Stud is one of a few stallion stations which offer frequent guided tours to the general public. Apart from the usual breeding business, the National Stud provides consignments and spelling services. It also offers apprenticeships and training courses on racehorse farm management to train the future generation in this illustrious sport.

Breeding, the starting point for every racehorse, is controlled to be synchronised with the racing seasons. In the northern hemisphere, racehorse breeders aim for foaling in the first half of the year. For simplicity, some people might consider that all racehorses are born on 1 January. On the other hand, breeders in the southern hemisphere aim for foaling in the second half of the year. Thus, the simplified birth date for all racehorses is 1 August. The length of pregnancy for mares is known to be 11 - 12 months; breeders use this information to schedule the mating season.

Typically, mares travel to a stallion station to mate. However, a stallion could sometimes travel long distances if there are a lot of overseas requests. Great stallions are offered on loan to countries in the southern hemisphere after the mating season in England finishes. For the legendary stallions, in-transit injury risks are not tolerated as they are kept securely at their stallion stations. The transportation of racehorses are regulated by laws and regulations, including quarantining and regular health checks. The National Stud sets aside its outer boundaries for dedicated quarantine stables. Apart from quarantine stables, the outer vicinity includes cafes, teaching buildings, and dormitories. Administrative buildings, breeding sheds, and paddocks are located at the core of these stations.

Breeding shed is a building where the staff assists a stallion to live cover a mare. According to the regulations, all registered racehorses must be conceived by live cover. The principle behind this is to protect the diversity of thoroughbreds. As the most popular stallion has its physical limit on how many mares it can cover in one mating season, the live cover requirement prevents total domination over other lineages.

Before the breeding process, the mare’s hoofs are covered with soft boots to prevent injuries from kicking. A teaser stallion is then brought in to check if the mare is ready. After the necessary procedures, the assigned stallion is then brought in to do the actual live covering. The floor of the breeding shed is intentionally designed to be uneven to take benefits from the height difference. In addition, special equipment is attached to the mare’s back to aid the covering process.

Stallion of Newmarket statue at the roundabout next to the National Stud’s entrance

Trial Day

The National Stud is one of a few stallion stations The Cesarewitch Trial Day was the first meeting in the Newmarket Gold Season. It was held on the Rowley Mile’s turf. Apart from celebrating the return of spectators after the government relaxed COVID-19 social distancing measures, the selling point of this event included a live commentary competition where each of the seven participants narrated one race as it happened.

The first race started at 13:00. Although the race itself normally takes less than five minutes, there was about half an hour between the two consecutive races on the same racecourse. This schedule allowed staff to restore the turf, especially covering shallow pits from the previous race. This also provided ample preparation time for the personnel involved in the upcoming race. In the meantime, spectators could either enjoy the live broadcast of the race elsewhere (there were the other two racecourses with scheduled races on that afternoon), watch award ceremonies, see live interviews, take a break, or observe racehorses

joining the next race. With sufficient experience, a person could anticipate the performance of racehorses by watching them walking around the paddock. This information was vital for placing bets. Because of this, the odds of each horse kept fluctuating right until the race started.

To prevent accidents or injuries, a veterinarian checks up racehorses just before the race starts. If a horse was deemed not fit to race according to the veterinarian, it will be removed from the race. This happened once on the Cesarewitch Trial Day. In the unlikely event of an accident, an ambulance and paramedics are on standby duty next to the turf. On the grand stand side, there were staff equipped to handle spectators who might suffer from heat stroke or any medical emergencies.

Cesarewitch

Racecourse is considered a field of dream where the effort of racehorses, breeders, trainers, owners, groomers, and jockeys will bear fruit. Moreover, it is certainly filled with the dreams of gamblers.

During the race, the overall atmosphere was very exciting. The cheers from the grandstand got louder and reached the peak when the horses reached the final two furlongs (402.34 metres). It soon became quiet when those horses hit the goal. People kept debating when the results were not determinable with the naked eye. A few minutes later, the photo finish was put on the big screen, settling all the disputes to the content of some and dismay of others.

Looking around, I found that there were various ways of placing a bet, even more than what I had estimated. Gamblers could redeem their winning tickets after the release of official results. By its nature, there were also losing tickets; some of them were disappointedly directed to the floor, representing broken hopes and dreams. You win some and you lose some.

Watching horse racing live gave me the opportunity to witness an exhilarating atmosphere and a passion of emotions. The essential takeaway I had that faithful afternoon was “the best thing to know is knowing what one should have done”.

Cantering uphill is a widely accepted training technique for racehorses. With over 2,500 racehorses dispersed across and training in Newmarket, there are several training facilities of such a manner to accommodate them all year round. The Warren Hill is one of these facilities, made of 4.5 furlongs (905.26 metres) artificial track on the uphill slope with 9.9% gradient on the last 2 furlongs (402.34 metres). On the open day, the Warren Hill was opened to the public. [7]

After raking the track using a tracker, the cantering started. The cantering order was arranged by trainers. Visitors were advised to observe from 25 metres away for their own safety. During the test run, the presenter made a comment on each racehorse’s performance and upcoming races. Unfortunately, sometimes the horses were galloping too close to each other, giving the presenter a difficult time.

The statue of Queen Elizabeth II with racehorses near the Rowley Mile Racecourse’s entrance.

During the open weekend, around 30 trainers opened their yards to the public to visit (This event was typed in bold capital letters on the schedule). From visiting four training yards, I learned that training yards came in different shapes and forms. The number of racehorses in training under management of each yard varies from a dozen to around hundred. However, there is one thing in common; the dedication of staff to ensure wellbeing and great performance in the racecourse. As there are many routine duties on every single day (including weekends and public holidays), continuous commitment is a must for stable staff.

This event provided an opportunity to see the racehorses in training up close. Some yards even allowed visitors to give polo mints to the racehorses. More importantly, the visitors could take part in conversations with trainers and staff to learn from their insights and experience. In addition, visitors can purchase goods, food, and beverages, or participate in prize draws.

With current technology, sensors can be placed between a girth and a horse’s body to measure heart rate with run time. These data are then populated and reported to the owner via a customised software.

According to the trainer, the desired performance for a racehorse is faster speed as run time increases, in other words, reducing time period per furlong (201.17 metres) as the racehorse runs. The other indicator is how long the racehorse takes to get its heart rate back to normal after cantering. This duration reflects strength in the same way as runners; the shorter duration means better strength.

To ensure accurate and reliable data for performance analysis, staff need to make sure that functional sensors are located in the correct position.

However, heart rate and time stamp alone are not sufficient for evaluating performance of a racehorse on the track. There are also other parameters from including anxiety to sensitivity towards large crowds or other racehorses. Although cutting edge technology such as brain wave monitoring has the potential to track concentration levels, it is the duty of trainers and staff to fill the gap and parameters that cannot be numbered, by observing behaviours carefully. With inferior performance on the race day in comparison to expected performance based on data obtained during training sessions, trainers and the team can apply alternate training menus or use blinders to show the real potential of racehorses under their care.

Apart from wellbeing and training, staff need to take care of logistical issues in journeys between a stable and a racecourse. With the exception of extra long haul trips in which racehorses are transported by air, equine trucks are generally used. Overnight stays are also arranged for long journeys.

/

Tattersalls is an influential institution for racehorse auctions in the UK and Ireland. In Tattersalls’ early days, auctions were held in central London, Hyde Park Corner, and Knightsbridge. The auction house at Newmarket was later constructed in 1965. Because of its long history since 1766, guinea (1.05 pounds) is used in Tattersalls’ auctions. [8]

As part of the Sir Henry Cecil Open Weekend, Tattersalls arranged a talk about racehorse auctioning in the main sales ring. During the talk, staff guided a racehorse around the sales ring, just like the real auction day. Instead of encouraging people to bid, the staff provided interesting insights on auctioning business. Selecting ‘right’ racehorses during the auction has many factors to consider including pedigree, shape, walking form, and behaviours. Gut feeling also contributes to this decision, similar to the way people are judged by first impressions.

In a racehorse auction, there are many catalogues. Book 1 is for the horses considered to be top tier; the quality of horses gradually drops in Book 2, Book 3, and so on. For beginners in this kind of auction, the staff recommended looking at horses from Book 2 or Book 3. However, being in a particular catalogue does not guarantee racing performance, as there are more aspects contributing to a racehorse’s success.

Despite the high price tag, mistakes sometimes occur. In one session, a person shook a catalogue in their hand out of habits, which sent an unintentional bidding signal to the auctioneer. Fortunately, that person realised what they were doing before bidding process was closed. In one other session, a person found out that they bidded for the wrong horse after that racehorse was declared sold. In this unfortunate case, the only thing staff could do was say that “This horse might win group 1 (highest class) race in the future. You would regret not taking this horse”.

The best spot to observe an auction is the seating area on the right hand side of the auctioneer.

The presence of a co-owner system allows ordinary people who don’t possess high amounts of money to have a share in racehorse ownership. Some people might view co-ownership as an investment which provides monetary returns from shared prize money or an invaluable priceless experience.

National Horseracing Museum

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In support of the Sir Henry Cecil Open Weekend, the National Horseracing Museum slashed the general admission fee in half (to 7.50 GBP). If the queues during registration are anything to measure the promotion by, it seemed to have done its magic and the benefits seemed to be reaping. After having visited the permanent exhibitions, I made my way towards the Retraining of Racehorse stable to see recently retired racehorses. [9–10]

The star of the stable on that day was obviously Battaash, the great European sprinter ranked 15th (co-ranked) in the 2020 best racehorse ranking. At the time of the visit, Battaash had finished his racing career five weeks prior, and was preparing for a relaxing new life after retirement.

Showjumping Competition

Considering the level of achievement during his racing career alone, Battaash would have been a stallion. However, being gelded means Battaash lacks the ability to live cover (according to the regulations, all registered racehorses must be conceived by live cover). Battaash’s value as a stallion is therefore nil. For the people in the horseracing industry and fans, however, Battaash has priceless value as a hero. Entering the programme managed by Retraining of Racehorse should ensure that Battaash will be taken good care of as he continues to bring joy and happiness to many people.

As showjumping is one of the equestrian sports, a competition was held as part of the Sir Henry Cecil Open Weekend. In this event, competitors needed to remember the course and clear the obstacles in the fastest time possible. The prize was awarded in individual, team, and youth categories.

Skill and experience are important. However, luck is also the other contributing factor because sometimes a horse just refused to jump. When things didn’t go as planned, some competitors showed wonderful improvisation for their comeback, or at the very least, maintaining safety for people and the horses.

Conclusion

Sir Henry Cecil Open Weekend in Newmarket was a great opportunity for people who are interested in the stories of racehorses to explore each chapter from birth, training, performing in a racecourse, to retirement. It was also a chance to exchange dialogue with veterans and learn something from their extensive experience. This open weekend showcased the relationship between people and racehorses, which has kept horse racing alive through the test of time up until now. More importantly, this event guided the next generation around behind the scene of excitement in a racecourse as well as acted as a gateway to this field.

The upcoming Sir Henry Cecil Open Weekend will be held between 23 - 24 September 2023 in Newmarket. From the previous successes, larger scale open weekends with multiple interesting events can be expected, waiting for visitors to explore these experiences by themself.

Travelling to Newmarket

Newmarket is approximately 100 km north of London. Apart from driving ,there are three main options for travelling to Newmarket using public transport:

* Cambridge to Ipswich train services, operating hourly using 3 - and 4-car trains.

* Bus services from Cambridge, Ely, and Bury St. Edmunds

* Several long distance coach services [11]

[1] Great British Racing. Your chance to meet the stars of horse racing. https:// nationalracehorseweek.uk/ [Accessed 22 November 2021].

[2] Great British Racing. UK’s First National Racehorse Week kicks off across the country. [online]. https://www. greatbritishracing.com/news/uks-firstnational-racehorse-week-kicks-off-acrossthe-country/ [Accessed 22 November 2021].

[3] Bill Wicksteed. Newmarket’s Equine Cluster: The economic impact of the horse racing industry centred upon Newmarketa short update to the 2014 report. https:// www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/ planning/Planning_Policies/local_plans/ upload/D12-Newmarket-s-Equine-Clustera-short-update-to-the-2014-report-2017. pdf [Accessed 1 December 2022].

[4] Rachel Redman. Newmarket’s Equine Cluster: The economic impact of the horseracing industry centred upon Newmarket. https://www.westsuffolk.gov. uk/Business/ Start_and_Grow_Your_Business/upload/ Newmarket-inc-Case-Studies-_LR.pdf [Accessed 1 December 2022].

[5] Henry Cecil Open Weekend Committee. SATURDAY 21ST AND SUNDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER 2019 NEWMARKET OPEN WEEKEND RENAMED THE ‘HENRY CECIL OPEN WEEKEND’ TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE

OF MUCH-LOVED TRAINER. https:// www.thehenrycecilopenweekend.co.uk/ newmarket-open-weekend-renamedhenry-cecil-open-weekend-celebratelife-much-loved-trainer/ [Accessed 22 November 2021].

[6] Henry Cecil Open Weekend Committee. The Henry Cecil Open Weekend. https:// www.thehenrycecilopenweekend.co.uk/ [Accessed 22 November 2021].

[7] The Jocket Club Estates. Newmarket Principal Gallops. [online]. https:// jockeyclubestates.co.uk/newmarket/ principal-gallops [Accessed 22 November 2021].

[8] Wikipedia. Tattersalls. https:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tattersalls [Accessed 22 November 2021].

[9] Wikipedia. Battaash. https:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battaash [Accessed 22 November 2021].

[10] Wikipedia. 2020 World’s Best Racehorse Rankings. https://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/2020_World%27s_Best_ Racehorse_Rankings [Accessed 22 November 2021].

[11] Wikipedia. Newmarket, Suffolk. https:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newmarket,_ Suffolk [Accessed 22 November 2021].

Having discovered all the amazing places that Northern England prides itself in, my travel motto now becomes “Going local is the way to go!”. Most importantly, immersing oneself in the North gives a new outlook from what one would consider as quintessential “British-ness”. Does it always have to be sipping tea in a top hat and coat? Because sometimes, it can simply be eating local fish and chips at the park bench, picnicking idly in a summer’s sun, losing yourself to a Geordie accent a couple of times, and appreciating how diverse England is.

5 Bubble Tea Shops

to Satisfy Your Sugar Craving in the UK

By Sathida Promma (Cine)

If you are a bubble tea enthusiast and love to indulge your sugar cravings with sweet drinks, then look no further! In case you are based in London or planning on visiting London, there are numerous bubble tea shops in London, some of which are well-known franchises that Thais are familiar with. After tasting quite a few myself along with further investigation on what locals have to say about each place, here are my recommendations on the bubble tea shops you should visit. Some franchises also open in various spots across the UK, so even if you are not in London, you might still be able to get yourself a drink from the places on this list!

The Alley

It would be a mistake if I donʼt start with this wellknown and dare I say, very popular bubble tea brand that many Thais love. The Alley is known for their unique, sweet, and chewy brown sugar tapioca known as ‘deeriocaʼ. Although The Alley takes pride in their selection of tea, personally, I feel like the tea flavor in all of their drinks arenʼt strong enough, being dominated by the sweetness of their toppings such as crème brûlée, pudding, dalgona cream, and so forth. Having said that, their drinks are tasty and the variety of drink selection on their menu is immaculate, with new seasonal drinks almost every month keeping you back for more to try new flavors.

Sadly, The Alley only has 2 shops in the UK and both are based in London, one is located in Holborn

WC1V 7EY which is near Covent Garden and The British Museum, the second shop is located in Mayfair W1S 1PF which is near Oxford Circus Tube station. My

Machi

If you like creamy, indulgent, and not overly sweet bubble tea then Machi Machi is the place you should pay a visit to. Machi Machi, originated from Taiwan, is known for their cheese tea. The combination of thick, cheesy, frothy cheese cream with intense milk tea is such a life changing flavor! The cheese cream has a subtle savory and salty note to contrast with the sweetness of milk tea and tapioca pearls or other toppings of your choice such as pudding, red bean paste, panna cotta, to name a few. Machi Machi also offers bottled milk tea drinks as well as milk tea frappe to satisfy your craving for cold, smooth, and sugary drinks.

My

top 3

Yi Fang

For all fruit tea lovers, Iʼve got you covered! Yi Fang is known for their great selection of fruit tea which will definitely help freshen up your day. At Yi Fang, you can find traditional fruit teas with ‘hand braised fruit jamʼ and herbal tea with brown sugar tapioca pearls. The shop takes pride in their natural selection of highquality ingredients, and they also offer non-dairy milk options like soya milk.

Additionally, Yi Fang also offers unique drinks that canʼt be found anywhere else such as Yakult Iced Tea, Pineapple Soya Milk and Coffee Mousse Milk Tea, to name a few. One drink in particular that will capture a lot of Thaisʼ attention with its tropical, sweet, and refreshing flavor is the Sugar Cane Milk; this drink is guaranteed to make you feel right at home with its familiar taste.

Fortunately, unlike other franchises, Yi Fang has over 12 stores spreading all over the UK in locations such as London, Cambridge, Brighton, Oxford, and Manchester, just to name a few.

My top 3 recommended Menus:

1. Peach Iced Tea

2. Mudflip Milk Tea

3. Yakult Iced Tea

CoCo

Last but not least is CoCo, another well-known franchise amongst Thais. CoCo is known for its wide variety of tea drinks that comes with tapioca pearls as well as other toppings and refreshing juices. One thing that I really like about CoCo is that the shop offers Thai Milk Tea! A classic combination of perfectly brewed Thai tea with condensed milk will take you back to Thailand after the first sip.

And for those who doesnʼt like milk tea, CoCo is the only place on this list that serves fruit slushes and smoothies, the only difference between the slush drinks and smoothie drinks is that smoothie drinks contain milk so if you donʼt feel like drinking creamy, sweet, smoothie drinks then go for slush drinks which will taste lighter and more refreshing. However, if you feel adventurous then I highly recommend CoCoʼs cloud drink series which is black tea or green tea, topped with salty cream foam made with Himalayan salt; the taste of slightly bitter, aromatic, sweet tea contrasted with the saltiness of the cream foam is indescribably tasty.

Currently, CoCo still has only 4 shops, and all are based in London; Soho area, Brent Cross, near British Museum and in the O2 building near Greenwich tube station.

My top 3 recommended Menus:

1. Thai Bubble Tea

2. Cloud Black Tea

3. 3 Guys Milk Tea (Milk tea topped with tapioca pearls, pudding and grass jelly)

Xing Fu

Another big authentic bubble tea brand from Taiwan. Xing Fu Tang is probably one of the most well-known bubble tea franchises amongst Thais for their authentic stir-fried brown sugar tapioca pearls and high-quality selection of tea. Their tapioca pearls are handmade and cooked on site every day, and you can see the process from start to finish. Although the tapioca pearls are very sweet with a hint of burnt caramel, the flavour is balanced out by the deep taste of milk tea, so if you are not a big fan of overly sweet drinks then ask for less sugar in milk tea and you will get the right level of sweetness.

Ever since this place became well-known amongst Asians and popular amongst Londoners in the last few years, it is almost always crowded, and the waiting line is fairly long on weekends.

Therefore, you should visit this shop on weekdays and in the daytime when most Londoners are still at work, so you donʼt have to wait too long for a cup of tasty milk tea. The only downside for Xing Fu Tang is their price which started from £3.95 to £6.90 per cup, it is considered the priciest milk tea of all places I am recommending in this article. On the brighter side, Xing Fu Tang has 2 shops in the UK, their newest location is in Glasgow, G12 8TA, and their first shop is located in China Town, London, W1D 5LG.

best for restaurants in london

By Pa-phavee Tonpibulsak (Tara) 2nd Year, BSc Business Management at Kingʼs College London

1. A Date Night

LPM London :

LPM London is a French Flagship restaurant tucked away in a small alley in the heart of Mayfair. The restaurantʼs culinary inspiration stems from elements of Nicoise food, including the incorporation of olive oil, tomatoes, artichokes, courgettes, etc in their dishes. For those looking to enjoy a light and deliciously palatable meal, I would highly recommend visiting LPM restaurant. Although the restaurant sits at the pricier end of the scale, it is definitely worth going to for a date night!

Menus Recommended:

Escargots

Yellowtail Carpaccio with Guacamole and Citrus

Dressing

Tuna Tartare

Potato Gratin

Rib Eye Steak

French Toast with Spice Ice-cream

2. Catching Up With Friends

Korean Dinner Party:

Korean Dinner Party, or KDP, is located on the top floor of Kingly Court, Soho. With inspiration from LAʼs Koreatown, the restaurant serves Korean-fusion food which takes influence from Korean flavors, the US, Mexico, and even Japan. The lively ambience accompanied by Korean Hip-hop music is great for a good time out with your friends, and overall the dishes served are innovative and flavor-packed.

* Note: TACO Tuesdays → the restaurant serves unlimited sharing tacos for just 20 pounds!

Menus Recommended:

KDP Corn Dog

Bacon Mochi

Beef Tartare

Slow-cooked 48H Beef Short Rib Tacos (for 2) Yakult Royale (cocktail)

3. A Hidden Gem in the Heart of London

Meraki:

Nestled within the streets of Fitzrovia, Meraki is a Greek Restaurant which aims to create a menu that reflects the tastes of the soul of Greece. The restaurant serves seasonally changing mezze dishes, chargrilled meats, and whole fish dishes along with an intriguing wine list for you to try out! The ingredients sourced are of high quality and seasoned minimally to reflect the flavor of the ingredient itself. It is also worth pairing some Greek wines along with your food to elevate it!

Menus Recommended:

Taramosalata and Hummus Greek Style (order the Pita Bread along with it!)

Lobster Orzo Giouvetsi

�Rosti Greek Style With Black Truffle

Charcoal Grilled Baby Chicken

Octopus BBQ

4. An Indulgent Japanese Dinner

Sushi Atelier:

Sushi Atelier is a small modern sushi restaurant with both ground floor and underground seating. The space inside the restaurant overlooks a sushi bar at which you can watch the chefs cook your food, whereas the basement area uncovers a cozier ambiance which is perfect for larger bookings. The restaurant sits in the heart of Fitzrovia and dishes served vary from creative, fusion dishes to minimal, authentic sushi bites. I also recommend browsing the drinks list and enjoying some premium sake and wine, Japanese beer, or shochu along with the food!

Menus Recommended:

12 Pieces Omakase Sushi

�Aburi Toro Truffle Roll

Tuna Sushi Set

Omakase Sashimi 9 kinds (2 pcs each)

Yellowtail Carpaccio

5. A Quick Easy + Cheap Meal

Wong Kei:

Wong Kei is definitely an underrated Chinese restaurant in Chinatown. Although the service would not be considered great, the dishes served are for sure worth its price. Dishes served range from the traditional Crispy Pork Belly to Wonton soup, but it is worth noting that the restaurant only accepts cash. Before visiting, we would recommend all of you to have some cash on hand!

Menus Recommended:

KDP Corn Dog

Beef Brisket Noodles

Pork Chops With Chili

+Salt and Boiled rice

BBQ Crispy Pork Belly

6. A Speedy Lunch When Youʼre ON THE GO

Koya Soho:

Koya Soho is a Japanese Udon Noodle Bar located in Soho. The restaurant specializes in freshly made udon noodles and dashi. The restaurant is quite small but offers authentic udon dishes, Japanese small plates, and donburi all throughout the day. Entering this restaurant, you would be greeted with the noodle bar, and feel like you are back in Japan again. If you are looking for a cheap and easy meal, I would recommend ordering the dishes below to satisfy your cravings!

Menus Recommended:

Tenzaru Zaru Udon

Kaiso Salad

Chicken Kara-age

Kakuni (Braised Pork Belly with Cider)

7. A Casual Brunch

Balans Soho:

The Balans chainʼs biggest branch, Balans Soho No.60, is located on 60-62 Old Compton Street near Chinatown. The restaurant serves dishes that range from the Classic Full English Breakfast to lunch and dinner offerings which highlight creative dishes like the Togarashi Buttermilk Chicken Doughnut and the Beef Ragu Mac & Cheese.

Menus Recommended:

Lobster Benedict

Togarashi Buttermilk Chicken Doughnut Beef Ragu Mac & Cheese French Toast

8. A Luxurious Birthday Dinner

Pied a Terre:

Pied a Terre is known to be the longest-standing independent Michelin Starred restaurant in London. Founded in 1991, the restaurant serves dishes influenced by classic French cuisine with reference to Greek flavors. They offer a Lunch Tasting Menu, a Dinner Tasting Menu, and even a Vegan Lunch/ Dinner Tasting Menu. With experimental innovation in every dish, the Gastronomy Experience you will get at this restaurant is beyond phenomenal.

Menus Recommended:

Dinner Tasting Menu (Along with Wine Pairing)

9. The Perfect Sunday Roast

Temper Soho:

Temper Soho actually runs as an in-house butchered steak and barbequed meat restaurant, however, with such great cuts of meats served here, their Sunday Brunch menu is one of the reasons why people come. The restaurant features an open kitchen in the middle, where you can enjoy watching the chefs prepare, butcher, and cook your food over the fire. The Sunday Roast menu at Temper is a family-style roast designed to share, and it is available every Sunday from midday. I recommend getting other snacks, such as the Aged Beef Nachos and the Caramelized Spicy Corn, on the sides too!

10. The Finest Steak in Town

Smith & Wollensky:

Smith & Wollensky is located in The Adelphi Building 1-11 John Adam Street, located just off of The Strand, London. The steaks served are USDA Prime, dry-aged, and butchered on-site, thus making the restaurant the only steakhouse in London which offers a cut of meat that combines all three. With staff being trained to expertise, the service here is warm and exceptional at the same time.

Rock Oysters

11. An Affordable Italian Meal

Lina Stores:

Known for its iconic turquoise striped deli, Lina Stores is an affordable, homey pasta bar that sits in the heart of Soho. The restaurant is perfect for a quick lunch with menus that includes both sharing starter plates and individual pasta dishes. For an affordable Italian meal, Lina Stores would be perfect for a pasta dish, or with some starters on the sides.

Menus Recommended (for Al Fresco Dining):

Burrata e Scapece di Zucchini

�Carciofi Fritti

Tagliolini Al Tartufo e Parmigiano

�Pappardelle con Ragu dʼAgnello

Cannolo Siciliano con Ricotta, Pistacchio e Cioccolato

12. Picture Perfect Interior

Dalloway Terrace:

Located a few steps away from Covent Garden and Oxford Street, Dalloway Terrace features a stunning backdrop to both your Afternoon Tea dining and Al Fresco dinner. The restaurant is always seasonally decorated, and the terraceʼs charm is its biggest attraction. Light breakfast menus are served until the afternoon, but I would recommend you to come here for their Afternoon Tea or Al Fresco Dining Menu. The Afternoon Tea runs from 1 pm - 4 pm, with sweets, scones, and savories being served for just 35 pounds per person. The Al Fresco Dining menu, on the other hand, is served all day until 9 pm and features dishes which range from small bites to large main course dishes.

Menus Recommended (for Al Fresco Dining):

Spicy Salmon Ceviche

Buffalo Milk Burrata

Miso Glazed Cod Fillet

�Truffle & Twineham Grange Fries

(1)easy breakfast(2)easy spice :0 (3)malted in a thai way (4) cure to freshers’ flu (5)farang would said-”don’t you need to cook it?” (6)best laarb (7) paeng (5)

Tummy Survival Kit

(8) seafood cravings be gone! (9) satisfying your noodle cravings (10) works with everything (11) secret recipe (12) moms’ things (13) hangover cure

OYSTER SAUCE

/nam-mun-hoi/

best with: grapow pad phak koong katiem sliced abalone fried rice morning glory pad prik thai dum suki yaki pad si-ew

Picture Perfect Interior

Dalloway Terrace:

Located a few steps away from Covent Garden and Oxford Street, Dalloway Terrace features a stunning backdrop to both your Afternoon Tea dining and Al Fresco dinner. The restaurant is always seasonally decorated, and the terraceʼs charm is its biggest attraction. Light breakfast menus are served until the afternoon, but I would recommend you to come here for their Afternoon Tea or Al Fresco Dining Menu. The Afternoon Tea runs from 1 pm - 4 pm, with sweets, scones, and savories being served for just 35 pounds per person. The Al Fresco Dining menu, on the other hand, is served all day until 9 pm and features dishes which range from small bites to large main course dishes.

Menus Recommended (for Al Fresco Dining):

Spicy Salmon Ceviche

Buffalo Milk Burrata

Miso Glazed Cod Fillet

�Truffle & Twineham Grange Fries

Homecooking recipes

By Pa-phavee Tonpibulsak (Tara)

2nd Year, BSc Business Management at Kingʼs College London

Ingredients: Rice Balls with Kimchi

1 Cup Japanese or Korean Rice

Seaweed Sheets

Seaweed, Shredded

Sesame Seeds

1 Tbsp Sesame Oil

1-2 Tbsp Kewpie Mayonnaise

2-3 Tbsp Soy Sauce

Kimchi

Ssamjang (Korean Soybean Paste)

Step 1:

Cook the Japanese/Korean rice according to the instructions on the packet. Once the rice is cooked, take the rice out of the cooker and add shredded seaweed, sesame seeds, sesame oil, soy sauce, and Kewpie mayonnaise.

1. Korean: Bulgolgi Pork with Rice balls and Kimchi

Ingredients: Bulgogi pork:

Sliced Pork Rrolls

Sesame Oil

Sesame Sseeds

2 Garlic Cloves, Finely Chopped

1 Onion, Finely Sliced

1 Spring Green Onion, Chopped

Beksul Korean Bulgolgi Marinade

Some water

Step 1:

Heat up the pan with some vegetable oil, fry the onions until translucent and add garlic and the sliced pork rolls. Once the pork is cooked, add the bulgogi marinade, and some water.

Step 2:

Once the sauce of the marinade has reduced, add in a drizzle of sesame oil. Plate the dish and garnish with the sesame seeds and green onions.

Step 2:

Once all the condiments have been mixed, roll the rice into mini balls (preferably the size of a ping-pong ball). After that, separate the seaweed sheets into small A6 sheets, and wrap each seaweed sheet around each rice ball.

Step 3:

Garnish the seaweed rice balls with a little bit of kimchi and you are good to go! We recommend having this with the bulgogi pork made earlier and also some ssamjang (which is Korean Soybean paste).

2. Japanese: Stir-Fried Beef Garlic Miso Noodles

Ingredients:

½ or 1 Tbsp Miso Paste

Soy sauce (to taste)

Sugar (to taste)

Udon Noodles

Sliced Beef Rolls

2 Garlic Cloves, Finely Chopped Bok Choi or Cabbage Sesame Oil

Vegetable Oil Water

An Egg Sesame Seeds

Step 1:

Heat up the vegetable oil and fry the bok choi or cabbage until soft. Once the vegetables are soft, add in the garlic and fry for 2 minutes. Once the garlic has been stir-fried, add the sliced beef rolls.

Step 2:

Add in the miso paste and a bit of water to dilute the paste. Then add some soy sauce and sugar to taste.

Step 4:

Stir fry the noodles with the sauce for around 2-3 minutes. Once it is done, plate the noodles and garnish with a drizzle of sesame oil and sesame seeds. If you would like an extra touch, fry up an egg and top it on the dish!

Step 3:

Meanwhile, boil the Udon noodles following the instructions on the packet. Once the noodles are done, drain and add the noodles to the saucepan.

Seafood Sauce

Ingredients:

20 Thai Red or Green Chilies

½ Cup Garlic Clove

1 Handful Coriander Roots

2 Coriander Roots

½ Cup Lime Fish Sauce to taste Palm Sugar to taste

Step 1:

In a food processor, add garlic, chilies, coriander, and coriander roots. Blend the ingredients until finely processed.

Step 2:

Add in the lime, lime, and fish sauce to taste. Blend the sauce once more and have a taste. If it is too sweet, add in more fish sauce and lime. If it is too salty, add in more lime. If the taste is too acidic, add in equal proportions of sugar and fish sauce. Once you have found the perfect balance, you are ready to plate this up with your Soy Marinated Salmon!

3. Thai: Soy marinated

Raw Salmon

with Seafood Sauce (Salmon Dorng with Namjim Seafood)

Marinated Raw Salmon:

Ingredients:

300g Raw Salmon

(Recommend to buy from Japan Centre)

1 cup Soy sauce (or shoyu)

2 Tbsp Palm sugar

1 Cup of Water

6 Garlic Cloves, Sliced

10 Thai Red or Green Chilies, finely sliced

Step 1:

In a pot, boil 1 cup of shoyu or soy sauce, then add the palm sugar and water. Once it has come to a boil, add in the sliced garlic and Thai chilies.

Step 2:

Remove the marinating sauce from the heat and let it cool. Once cooled, add the sauce to the rawsliced salmon and marinate overnight.

We would also recommend cooking up some Japanese or Thai rice, and having some seaweed on the side with this too!

4. American: Grilled Cheese with Sauteed Mushroom and Caramelized Onion Filling

Ingredients:

2 Sourdough or Rye Sourdough bread

5 Chestnut Button Mushrooms, Finely Sliced Butter

2 Garlic Cloves, Finely Chopped

½ an Onion

Mozzarella Cheese

Cheddar Cheese

Oregano Seasoning

1-2 Tbsp Honey

Salt and Pepper to taste

Step 1:

Heat up the pan with some butter and then fry the mushrooms and garlic until it has softened. Add some salt and pepper to taste, and let the mushrooms and garlic cool on the side.

Step 2:

Using the same pan, add in the butter, onions, and the oregano seasoning. Once the onions have cooked for 5 minutes, add in the honey and let it cook for around 5 minutes.

Step 3:

In another pan, on medium-low heat, add some butter and fry 4 sourdough pieces on one side. After 1 minute add the mozzarella and cheddar cheese to 2 sourdough pieces (this would depend on your liking).

Step 4:

Once the sides of the sourdough are browned, add the mushroom and caramelized onion filling onto two sourdough pieces.

Step 5:

Completing the sourdough grilled cheese sandwich, you will need to combine the pieces with only the cheese on top of the ones with the onion and mushroom filling

And voilà, youʼre good to go with an indulgent and filling meal!

5. Italian: Creamy Mushroom Pasta

Ingredients:

1 Onion, Finely Chopped

1 Tbsp Unsalted Butter

2 Garlic Cloves, Finely Chopped M&S Creamy Mushroom With Mascarpone & Black Truffle

Double Cream

Grated Parmesan

150g Button Chestnut Mushrooms, Chopped 150g Linguine or Fettuccine

Ground Black Pepper Salt

Mixed Herb Seasoning or Oregano

50ml White Wine

Step 1:

Heat some butter in a saucepan, and fry the chopped onion over medium heat until translucent. Once the onions are translucent, add the chopped mushrooms and garlic and cook for about 5-10 minutes or until the mushrooms are cooked.

Step 2: Deglaze the pan by adding the white wine, and reducing the liquid. Then add the M&S Creamy Mushroom sauce, a bit of double cream, salt, pepper, and mixed herb seasoning to taste.

Step 3:

Meanwhile, cook the pasta following the pack instructions. Reserve some pasta water if needed. Toss the cooked pasta into the pan with the M&S creamy sauce and add enough pasta water for the sauce to loosen. Heat the pan up to cook the pasta in the sauce and once done, you can plate it!

Step 4:

The final step is to garnish with grated parmesan cheese and a bit of ground black pepper! Please do add as much as you would like to!

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Must-Visit Vegan Spots

By Kantaya Ruayjirawat (Tara)

2nd Year, BA Graphic Branding and Identity at University of the Arts of London

As a lactose-intolerant person living in London, it is not as hard to find delicious vegan spots or dairy alternative goodies compared to Bangkok! I have dragged many of my carnivorous friends to all these places and they loved them; some couldnʼt even tell that the food was vegan. What is better than indulging yourself in dairy-free desserts and not getting a stomach ache afterwards? Below are some of my top go-to vegan spots for all myfriends with the same Asian lactose-intolerant gene :)

Brunch Spot: Mallow

Location: Borough Market

Borough Market is my favourite food market with many yummy food stands and vibey independent restaurants, and Mallow is one of them. It is a newly opened sister restaurant from Mildred Soho, which you must check out for their international 100% plant-based menus and a variety of vegan brunch options! Ranging from sweets to savoury, the portions are so big that we didnʼt have space for dessert :( The vegan full English breakfast was quite nice with a hint of Indian spices. I will definitely come back for the dinner menus!

Highlight Dish:

Apple Cinnamon Pancake, Date Butter | Each pancake layer is slathered with apple sauce, and topped with almond butter, yummy!

Breakfast: 26 Grains

Location: Nealʼs Yard, Covent Garden

I highly recommend this spot! A small vibey brunch place in Nealʼs Yard area that serves delicious, healthy, hearty both savoury and sweet dishes. Their dishes are reasonably priced with wide varieties for vegans and those with gluten-free allergies. 26 Grains doesnʼt do your plain oldporridge or bircher bowls but instead add many interesting twists, so for all porridge lovers, this is a must-visit spot! I like their Banana Tahini Porridge!! It is very creamy, buttery and crunchy :) Their savory menus are also very wholesome and very photogenic. Definitely looking forward to trying more of their seasonal menus!

Highlight Dish:

Banana Tahini Porridge | The creaminess and the nutty smell of the Tahini resembles peanut butter, my favourite thing in porridge. How classic can this be: honey, crunchy cacao nibs and creamy porridge? But be warned, this dish can be fairly filling so expect your stomach to be stuffed afterwards..

Top 3 Dessert Spots:

Meet Fresh

Meet Fresh is definitely my hands-down favourite dessert spot!!! It serves Taiwanese Bing-Fen (shaved ice) with different toppings, which is similar to our Thai Nam-Kang-Sai. Situated in China Town, what is a better day than dinner at a Chinese restaurant and Meet Fresh afterwards? :)

Highlight Dish: Signature Icy Jelly!! without creamer for my lactoseintolerant friend, the syrup coat ice is more finely shaved and complimented with soft jelly, similar to Thai Shao-Guay, definitely a completion of different textures in one bowl.

Global Cuisine: Holy Carrot

Location: Behind Harrods, Knightbridge

Looking for an inventive vegan restaurant? This cosy and cute vegan restaurant is located just behind Harrods, serving once again an entirely plant-based menu which is free of gluten, sugar, preservatives and additives, and thus good for your tummy and body! They also have a wide selection of desserts :)

Highlight Dish: The maki set is a must, especially the crispy roll, definitely will come back to try more!

Snog

Are you a person who always needs to cleanse your savoury palette after a heavy meal with indulging yet light and healthy desserts? I always go to Snog, a guilt-free frozen yoghurt spot for both vegan and dairy diets with a variety of different toppings to choose from.

Highlight:

I always get their Vegan Coconut Yogurt with blueberries and Vegan Chocolate Nibs, a light and creamy combo!

Cross Town

Cross Town is one of the favourite spots to satisfy my doughnut cravings, if you are the type of person who loved overloading filled doughnuts then this is the spot! Cross Town has more creative doughnut flavours like Lime & Coconut or Banana & Cherry. If you prefer a more doughy, soft doughnut, Cross Town might not be it, its sourdough doughnuts are chewier and denser. I like to refrigerate them overnight for a more chewy texture:)

Highlight Dish:

I like to get their Seasonal Special Menu, but if were to recommend I really like the Vegan Cholocate & HoneyComb, loaded with rich dark chocolate, and Lime & Coconut, the coconut filling isnʼt too strong, and the sourness of the lemon glaze complements overall creamy flavour very well.