From 300-Baht Factory Hand to Global Vlogger: The Inspiring Rise of Missing Creator 'Hlun Solo'
As prayers pour in for Baworntat Pengsook, missing in Georgia, we look at how a factory worker beat the odds to study at Chulalongkorn and travel the world
- Baworntat Pengsook, known as 'Hlun Solo', came from a humble background and worked 10-hour shifts in a factory for a 300-baht daily wage to save money for higher education.
- His hard work earned him a full scholarship to study Political Science at the prestigious Chulalongkorn University, which became a major turning point in his life.
- While at university, he worked multiple odd jobs to fund his travel dream, and after graduating, he backpacked to over 50 countries, building his "Hlun Solo" channel into a community of over 770,000 subscribers.
As prayers pour in for Baworntat Pengsook, missing in Georgia, we look at how a factory worker beat the odds to study at Chulalongkorn and travel the world.
Thai netizens have rallied together, offering prayers for the safe return of popular travel creator "Hlun Solo" after his family reported him missing in Georgia.
Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating closely with Georgian authorities and relevant agencies to track down his whereabouts.
While his fate remains unknown, the news has drawn widespread interest to his background, with many expressing admiration for his determination to pursue his dream of travelling the world.
The Nation takes a look back at his inspiring journey before he became Hlun Solo.
Humble Beginnings and Factory Shifts
Born Baworntat Pengsook, the 27-year-old content creator recently opened up about his upbringing on social media. Raised in Kalasin province by his grandmother following his father's death, he grew up without parental financial backing.
To save costs during his school years, he attended a local community school and applied for every scholarship available. Upon completing secondary education, lacking the funds required for higher education, Baworntat took a gap year to work in an industrial factory in Bangkok.
Enduring gruelling 10-hour daily shifts for a minimum wage of 300 baht, he lived in a modest rented room near the industrial estate. Yet, despite the exhaustion, he spent his off-hours preparing intensely for university scholarship exams.
The Chulalongkorn Turning Point
His perseverance paid off when he secured a full scholarship to study at the Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University. The scholarship covered his tuition and living allowance, relieving him of financial anxieties and enabling him to direct extra earnings toward his dream of backpacking the globe.
Throughout his four years at university, he packed his academic timetable into tight blocks to free up time for multiple odd jobs—ranging from private tutoring and handing out flyers to fundraising for charities and selling goods online. By the time he graduated, he had saved enough capital to fund a full year of solo international travel.
Building 'Hlun Solo'
Starting his backpacking journey immediately after university, Mr Baworntat has since visited more than 50 countries, covering approximately 25 per cent of the world. He established his channel, Hlun Solo, to document low-cost travel and share practical advice with aspiring backpackers.
The name "Hlun" originated from a childhood mispronunciation of his mother's intended name "Lhun". Over time, Hlun Solo grew into a community of over 770,000 subscribers, with netizens celebrating his story as a testament to grit, strategic planning, and living life to the fullest.
As diplomatic and local search efforts continue in Georgia, followers across Thailand continue to share his story, holding out hope for his safe return.
