MSU alumna competes in Thailand

Many people never get the opportunity to travel to the extent they dream of; however, MSU alumna Aubrey Hang and boyfriend, Parker Lynch, have the chance to do just that — and a chance at $10,000.

Hang and Lynch are one of the five teams selected to be semi-finalists in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and are fighting for the chance to become overall finalists in The Ultimate Thailand Explorer: The Ultimate Travel Competition, Hang said.

The competition was created by the Tourism Authority of Thailand in order to increase awareness of the country’s top five tourist attractions; Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui.

Selected teams have six days to travel around their assigned location and explore the attractions and activities the city has to offer.

Participants are required to share their daily experiences by posting photos, videos and blogs in order “to inspire other global travelers,” according to the competition’s official Web site.

If Hang and Lynch are named the winners of their assignment, they move on to finalist status to compete for the main prizes.

Winners of the competition will receive cash prizes as well as other incentives to allow competitors to continue traveling after the event is complete.

Both Hang and Lynch are experienced travelers, said Joe George, a mutual friend from Michigan.

“Aubrey studied abroad in Italy for four months in college,” George said. “She traveled to Egypt and other places throughout Europe. She has also been to Hong Kong, France … and many other places in the states. At the age of 24, she has probably visited more countries than the average person will in their entire life.

“As with Parker, he has been all over the world. He just recently returned from Bali, Indonesia. When the two of them travel, they see and do everything. They don’t rely on tourist books, they find out what the locals do and visit the hidden gems of each country,” George said.

Having lived in Thailand for more than a year, the couple thinks they are good applicants for the competition because they have experience astravel guides, Hang said.

“Parker and I have been documenting our travel experiences before the contest through Facebook, our blogs, e-mailing family and friends, and Twitter,” Hang said.

“The contest asked for teams who could do exactly that. We thought it would be a great opportunity to show the world why they should visit Thailand by using our writing, photography, design and education experience.”

The general public selects the winner out of the final five teams by voting online at the Ultimate Thailand Explorer Web site, with 10 days currently left before the voting ends.

With the duo proving to be a force in the competition, they still are encouraging more votes from fans, Hang said.

It isn’t the tourist attractions that draw Lynch to Thailand, though — it is the local residents.

“My favorite thing about Thailand is the people,” Lynch said. “They are so gracious and friendly — I have felt very welcome in this country since day one and people here have a really refreshing attitude. Their kindness and respect for others still takes me aback at times.”

Hang and Lynch have the right personalities for this competition, George said.

“Both of them moved to Thailand without knowing anyone else in the country,” George said. “They met while abroad and entered the country alone. It takes a certain person to be able to pack up your life and move to a different country.

“It wasn’t like they moved to London, where some things would be familiar and life wouldn’t be completely (changed). They moved
to Thailand, where everything was completely foreign. Now, two years later, they call Thailand home. I think they are the best team for this competition, because they aren’t afraid to try new things. They are always up for a challenge.”

To learn more about the competition, Hang and Lynch, or their competitors, visit www.ultimatethailandexplorer.com.