Natasha & Paula

Natasha Monks and Punlapa Margaret "Paula" Taylor^[1] are a team of Childhood Friends on The Amazing Race Asia 2.

Although they were generally overshadowed by other teams, they were one of the more positive and upbeat teams of their season, often using their charm and wit to succeed during the race and forge an alliance with Marc & Rovilson and Pamela & Vanessa, with plans for each other to make the final three together. Unfortunately, those plans were ruined when the pair got lost after completing the Roadblock in leg nine, falling to last place. Although they were saved by a Non-Elimination Leg, a combination of their time deficit to other teams, a leg design that did not allow for much catching up, and a Marked for Elimination penalty ensured that they would not be able to get out of last place in the following leg, even after convincing their allies to yield Diane & Ann, leading to their elimination in 5th place.

Profile[]

Retrieved from axn.asia.com^[2]

Paula[]

Age: 24
Occupation: Actress/ VJ/ Model
Hometown: Thailand

Natasha[]

Age: 24
Occupation: Public Relations/ Brand Consultant
Hometown: Thailand

One works as a VJ in Bangkok, Thailand, and is a rising, hot starlet, having appeared in several Thai movies since 2002. The other is more than likely a sight for sore eyes at the mining company where she works at, dealing with, well, explosives. What Paula Taylor and Natasha Monks have in common, besides turning 24 this year and in possession of sizzling good looks, is a lifetime of friendship and the intent to win The Amazing Race Asia.

What sets these two girls apart from the millions of The Amazing Race fans around the world is that they are more than just armchair fans who point to the goggle box and say they can do better if given half the chance. Instead, they grasped the chance and signed up. Says Paula, "Whenever we watch it, it's one of those things where we go, we can do that. Now we have the chance to prove it to people."

Born three months apart, the two best buddies were clearly destined to be more than mere friends. Both their mothers were best friends so it was no surprise that both girls grew up close to one another each other. Even when the girls got separated when their families started shuttling between Thailand and Australia, their friendship held strong across the seas.

One reason for that is because both are the easy going sort. "We get along with others easily and are always happy. Plus we react to situations the same way," notes Paula. In fact, both say they are soul mates, having gone through life together and always doing things the same way. And these childhood gal-pals are quick to point out too that their mutual love for travel and meeting new people would be their edge in The Amazing Race Asia. "It's always fun meeting new people where ever they're from because people are only foreign until you get to know them," says Natasha, a self- described single girl who is happy "playing the field". Even Paula says her friend reminds her of Samantha Jones, from TV series, Sex and the City.

And Paula is more than willing to let her outgoing friend take on the lead during the race. Paula notes, "Natasha finds it easy to talk to new people whereas I'm more reserved and shy."

But not so shy to want to prove to her viewers back home what she is capable off, which is one of the reasons why she took part. "Being a public figure I have a certain image that people assume of me so I would like to add another dimension to 'Paula Taylor'."

Natasha is also more than happy to rise to the defense of her friend. "Paula is a lot more girly than me and everyone loves her for some reason. You put up with it because she has a pretty smile."

And should the girls do something mean for the race, though both won't admit to planning anything, it will be up to Paula to save the day. Noting with a sly smile, "If we ever do anything mean, I'll make sure we'll smile the whole time," adds Paula.

And if nothing else works? "Well, we're very fun people. And we will entertain you!" she promises.

The Amazing Race Asia 2[]

Race History[]

Natasha & Paula's Race History
Episode	Leg	Destination(s)	Detour Choice (underlined)	Roadblock Performer	Placement	Notes
1	1	Singapore → Philippines	Dare / Stair	No Roadblock	6 of 10
2	2	Philippines	Heel / Wheel	Natasha	2 of 10
3	3	Philippines → Hong Kong → New Zealand	Wall / Waka	Natasha	4 of 9
4	4	New Zealand	Flax / Sticks	Paula	3 of 8
5	5	New Zealand → Japan → South Korea	You Catch It / You Cart It	Paula	4 of 7	^[1]
6	5	New Zealand → Japan → South Korea	Slither / Deliver	Paula	5 of 7	^[1]
7	6	South Korea	Too Heavy / Too Ho	Natasha	5 of 6
8	7	South Korea → Germany → Czech Republic	Bow / Blow	Paula	4 of 6
9	8	Czech Republic	Snap / Roll	Natasha	5 of 6
10	9	Czech Republic → Hungary	Pitch / Pull	Natasha	5 of 5
11	10	Hungary	Say It / Play It	Paula	5 of 5	^[2]
				Average	4.40
Legend: The team finished in first place The team finished in last place and was eliminated from the race The team finished in last place in a non-elimination leg The team that won The Amazing Race The team that crossed the Finish Line second The team that crossed the Finish Line third ► The team used the Fast Forward pass > The team used the Yield < Recipient of the Yield
Notes: 1: Leg 5 is a double-length leg with two Roadblocks and two Detours, shown over two episodes. The placement listed in the top row reflect the order teams arrived at the leg's halfway point. 2: Natasha & Paula had been marked for elimination. However, since they checked-in last, they were eliminated without the 30-minute penalty being issued.

Post-Race[]

Paula later appeared in Season 3 as the local greeter in the first leg of the race.
Paula has since married and has three children.

Trivia[]

Franchise[]

Natasha & Paula are the first native Thai people to compete in The Amazing Race franchise.
Natasha & Paula are the first all-female team of racers from Thailand.