Spinningfields Thai restaurant Thaikhun is giving out free meals in Manchester tomorrow to welcome new undergraduate students.
It will park its signature tuk-tuk at the University of Manchester between 12-5pm offering freshers free rides and a private tour around the city, ending at the restaurant.
Students will be dropped at Thaikhun on Hardman Street, Spinningfields, to enjoy a pad thai on the house – a famous national dish made with your choice of protein, Thai rice noodles, egg, spring onions, sweet turnip, bean sprouts, tofu, peanuts, vegetables and a tamarind sauce.
Protein options meanwhile include chicken, pork belly, roast BBQ pork, prawn, beef, tofu and plant-based chicken, leaving plenty of choice for meat eaters, vegetarians, vegans and pescetarians alike.
Normally priced at £10 a dish, for one day only students in the city will be treated to a freebie on the house.
ADVERTISEMENT
Kim’s pad thai recipe has stayed the same for nearly 2 decades and has won awards. / Image: Thaikhun
At the age of just 15 with big dreams and an entrepreneurial spirit, Kim left her village to set up her own Pad Thai cart. / Image: Thaikhun
Simply by taking a picture of themselves dining at Thaikhun, groups could also be in with a chance to win a complimentary meal for four.
Becky, Restaurant Manager at Thaikhun Manchester, explains: “We’re so excited to be bringing this exclusive and totally unique experience to Manchester Freshers Week, offering students a free ride in a tuk tuk and a complimentary Pad Thai at Thaikhun. We can’t wait to welcome students and freshers into our restaurant to enjoy our signature dish for free, for one day only.
“They can also win a dining experience for four guests by simply uploading a photo of themself either at the restaurant or with the Thaikhun tuk tuk, which will be based at the University campus, using #ThaikhunTakeover on Instagram. We will select a winner at random after the event and contact them the next day where they can redeem their prize within 30 days.
“We encourage all students in the city to enter, no matter what University you’re at. It certainly won’t be one to miss!”
ADVERTISEMENT
Image: Thaikhun
Image: Thaikhun
Located on Hardman Street, Spinningfields, Thaikhun offers Thai street food inspired by the food markets of Bangkok.
Pad thai is a dish especially close to its heart, being one of the first dishes its founder Khun Kim ever perfected .
At the age of just 15 with big dreams and an entrepreneurial spirit, Kim left her village in rural Khiri Mat for the busy streets of Bangkok. Kim’s main passion has always been food and so, in 1993, she set up her first Pad Thai cart.
Through pure dedication and hard work, she expanded the business to run several street food stalls and won an award for the delicious flavours of her Pad Thai recipe, which is still proudly used across Thaikhun’s restaurants today.
ADVERTISEMENT
Kim almost met her husband Martin whilst working on that stall in 1997 – and shortly after she moved to Leeds, Martin’s hometown, to start building her Thai restaurant empire.
Feature image – Thaikhun
News
Manchester firefighter surprises partner with proposal during new recruits parade
Danny Jones
We’re a sucker for a wholesome little video as we know you are, which is exactly why we thought of you lot when we came across this video of a newly graduated Manchester firefighter surprising his partner with a heartwarming proposal.
Just the kind of heartwarming that usually sets us off after a long week at work.
The clip shared by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) on Thursday, 25 April, shows Manc fireman James popping the question to his girlfriend sat unassumingly in the audience at a recent passing out ceremony.
Pass out ceremonies are when trainees go from recruits to fully qualified firefighters after completing their intensive operational training. It’s a long-standing tradition in the emergency services where friends and family gather to celebrate their achievements – it’s almost like it’s the perfect opportunity…
Watch as a Manc firefighter turns his passing out ceremony into a surprise proposal.
As you can see, since the graduates are usually the centre of attention, James couldn’t help but size his moment and instead of walking and lining up normally like everyone else, he decided to head straight over to his wife-to-be and get down on one knee.
You already know the rest.
Welling up immediately and barely able to remove her hands from her face, Melissa nods and says yes as the crowd cheers and the pair share a smooch.
Writing on social media, the GMFRS said: “We managed to capture a VERY special moment at our new recruits pass out parade today… Congratulations to James and Melissa!”, adding, “Certainly one way to start your new career”.
If we don’t see all the groomsmen dressed as firefighters on a random viral video sometime soon we’re going to be gutted.
All the best to the happy couple and if you’ve got any more lovely clips like this to send in so we can make ourselves cry (in a good way), you know what to do.
Featured Images — Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
News
Peter Kay’s statement in full as his Co-op Live gigs are postponed for SECOND time
Daisy Jackson
Peter Kay has issued a statement after his two gigs at Co-op Live were rescheduled – again.
The Bolton-born comedian was supposed to officially open the huge new Manchester venue last week, but ‘power supply issues’ forced it to be rescheduled.
He was then supposed to perform on Monday and Tuesday of next week instead, but these two shows have been pushed back even further.
Peter Kay has now issued a statement addressing the postponement, saying it’s ‘very disappointing’.
He also said: “I know, I can’t believe it either.”
He’s even amended his own tour poster to add the disclaimer: “(If they actually open the place).”
The star joked that he was now the ‘ninth artist in the world’ to play there.
Can always count on a comic to make the joke everyone else is thinking.
The legendary comic wrote: “To everybody with tickets, my apologies once again but unfortunately the Co-op Live still isn’t ready and so, as yet, remains untested for a large-scale audience.
“Consequently, they are having to reschedule my two shows yet again (I know I can’t believe it either).
“The first available dates the shows can reschedule to are as follows: Mon 29th April to Thurs 23rd May, Tues 30th April to Frid 24th May.
“Tickets will be transferred, or refunds given if the new dates aren’t suitable.
“It’s very disappointing but your safety is important, and I won’t compromise that.”
Co-op Live said in a statement: “Since making the difficult decision to postpone the live shows at Co-op Live due to take place this week, we have been undertaking an extensive protocol of testing critical procedures to ensure all areas are ready for fans.”
They’ve also made the rather bold decision to once again assure fans that the next raft of shows now set to be their opening gigs – big dates from Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Olivia Rodrigo – are still set to go ahead as scheduled.
Touch wood.
Today's announcement comes with reassurance that we welcome fans to Co-op Live from Boogie Wit Da Hoodie on 1 May and into Olivia Rodrigo from 3 May 2024.
This could back to bite them. It already has once before.
“To ensure that we can run all shows safely, regretfully we have now had to take the decision to reschedule the planned The Black Keys and Peter Kay shows.
“Both The Black Keys and Peter Kay have graciously agreed to reschedule their shows. The Black Keys will now perform on 15 May 2024, and Peter Kay will now perform on 23 and 24 May 2024.
“All tickets remain valid and ticket holders will be contacted by their point of purchase. Refunds will be available for those who can no longer attend.
“We deeply appreciate the impact this will have on excited fans, and sincerely apologise for the inconvenience that this change will undoubtedly cause. Rescheduling Peter Kay and The Black Keys will give us the extra time we need to continue testing enhanced emergency communications thoroughly.
ADVERTISEMENT
“This is vital to satisfy the rigorous set of guidelines and protocols that are necessary for a venue of this size to ensure that our fans, artists and staff have the safest experience possible.”
Georgina Pellant -
21st September 2022 
