Ultimate Thailand Explorers finalists journey to Asia

Adventurists Parker Lynch and Aubrey Hang, one of five finalist teams in the Ultimate Thailand Explorers travel competition, are ready to begin their exploration of Chiang Mai, Thailand.

The Ultimate Thailand Explorers competition was started by the Tourism Authority of Thailand in an effort to promote travel to Thailand and reveal the country’s beauty and diversity.

The finalist teams must travel to a designated city in Thailand and post their daily cultural experiences online with videos, blogs and pictures. The five teams will head to Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui for six days.

“We are trying to market and promote Thailand via internet, blog, Twitter and YouTube,” said Poolsri Nimpoolsward, liaison and translator for Lynch and Hang. “In this location, it’s beautiful. The contestants have to highlight this.”

Lynch, an IU alumnus, and his girlfriend Hang, will be traveling north to Chiang Mai. The couple was chosen out of 25 semifinalist teams by receiving more online votes than any other team in the Chiang Mai division.

Hang discovered the competition from a Facebook advertisement. Lynch said that with his writing talent, Hang’s skill in graphic design and photography and their experience in traveling, they were the perfect candidates for this opportunity.

“I’ve got traveling down to a science,” Lynch said. “It’s really cool for us to show the public back home how we can take people to places that aren’t in the guidebooks.”

Both Lynch and Hang are seasoned travelers – Lynch backpacked through Europe after graduating from IU, and Hang lived and studied abroad in Rome for four months.

The couple met in Bangkok, where they now work as teachers and experience the hospitality and generosity of the people of Thailand daily.

“I really like exploring a new culture and teaching at an international school where the families are so supportive,” Hang said. “It’s really neat to be able to meet people from all different cultures.”

The couple will leave for Chiang Mai this week. Once there, they will visit the city’s many attractions and participate in cultural activities.

“We’re really adventurous,” Lynch said.  “We’ll try anything. I really hope to get some interesting videos.”

The five finalists’ blogs will be visible to the public. The team that receives the most online votes will win the title of the Ultimate Thailand Explorers, as well as a cash prize of $10,000, a holiday package in Thailand valued at $3,000 and other prizes worth $2,000.

Voters can find Lynch and Hang’s blog and cast their votes online at the Ultimate Thailand Explorers official Web site,
www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com.

Voters can vote every day, but only once per day, until Jan. 8. Voters are also entered to win cash prizes.

Hang and Lynch are prepared to offer an exciting look into Chiang Mai’s culture. Lynch hopes that his fellow Hoosiers will support his cause.

“I’m really proud to be a Hoosier,” he said. “I’d really like to represent my undergraduate school in a positive light.”