At Agoda, it goes without saying that travel is at the heart of everything we do. Whether we’re supporting customers or exploring new places ourselves, travel fuels our curiosity and deepens our connection to the world. That’s why the grand prize at our annual Agoda staff party is called the Bridging the World Through Travel prize, as a celebration of our shared purpose. The lucky winners receive extra leave days and the funds to take the trip of their dreams.
This year, one of those winners was Dream Jaruchotrattanasakul, a Staff Data Engineer and long-time Liverpool FC fan who was able to fulfill a lifelong milestone. He chose something that had lived in his heart since high school: visiting Anfield, the home of Liverpool FC, and watching a match live in the stadium he had only ever seen on TV.
Read on to learn about his journey: how a staff party became a bucket-list moment and an experience he’ll never forget.
A surreal win
On the day of AgodaFest, while waiting in line to enter the party, I jokingly told my teammate that I already knew exactly where I’d go if I ever won. I didn’t expect to be that lucky. But a few hours later, my name was called. I actually got the prize. When it registered to me what had happened, I was incredibly happy and excited! It was a surreal, once-in-a-lifetime moment.
Why the UK? A dream years in the making
As I said, I didn’t need time to deliberate. I already knew exactly where my ticket to the world would lead. I’ve been a huge Liverpool FC fan since high school, and I’ve dreamed of watching a match at Anfield. Because of that, the UK was the first and only destination that came to mind.
I took this trip with my wife, a shared journey that made the experience even more special. Our plan came together quickly: we’d spend one day in Manchester, three days in Liverpool, and four days in London before returning home.
A fan’s full circle moment
Of course, the most exciting part of our trip was visiting Anfield for the very first time. I booked a stadium tour and secured match tickets for the next day, finally turning a dream I’d had for years into reality.
The moment I saw the pitch for the first time was unforgettable. I thought to myself, “I finally made it here.” It’s a place I’ve watched on TV every weekend. I even had tears in my eyes. That full-circle feeling will stay with me forever, and experiencing it with my wife made it even more meaningful.
On match day, we watched Liverpool FC vs. Aston Villa. The atmosphere was incredible. Before the game, everyone sang the club’s iconic anthem, “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” and it gave me goosebumps. Throughout the match, the fans kept singing and cheering, and the passion was unbelievable.
When Mohamed Salah scored, the whole stadium exploded with excitement.Because Liverpool hadn’t won their previous three games, you could feel how much this moment meant to everyone. Then, Liverpool won 2–0, and the joy that filled Anfield was unreal. I was so glad to be a part of it all. For some people, a match is just a match. For me, it was a lifelong wish fulfilled.
Exploring the UK
Outside of Anfield, visiting the UK gave me a lot of new experiences. I particularly loved the walkability. You can walk almost anywhere, and public transportation is very accessible. Another thing that stood out was the pet-friendliness of the cities. It was nice to see that pets were welcome in so many public areas.
In London, my wife and I visited several famous landmarks: Big Ben, the British Museum, Tower Bridge, and Borough Market. The Christmas vibes throughout the city were amazing, with lights, decorations, and festive energy everywhere. Experiencing the holiday season in London was a highlight in itself, especially when it included your loved one.
Bridging the world through new perspectives
Winning this prize made me feel like I crossed a personal bridge: from something I only dreamed about, to something I lived. Visiting Anfield has been a huge life goal, and this prize made it happen, which completely fulfilled my heart.
This trip really helped me recharge and gave me new perspectives on life and culture. I got to see how people live on the other side of the world. Some things are better, and some things back home in Thailand (especially the food!) are still unbeatable. Traveling reminded me that every place has something to learn from, especially if you have an open mind.
Evolving with Agoda
Agoda has given me so much: not just this travel experience, but also the opportunity to work in a truly global environment. There aren’t many companies in Thailand that operate on this scale, serving customers from all over the world. I’m constantly exposed to new ideas and cultures, so I never feel stagnant.
Working here has pushed me to grow, improve myself, and feel proud of who I am, both personally and professionally. I feel grateful to be part of a place that challenges and inspires me every day.
Join a global team that’s bridging the world through travel. Explore job opportunities at Agoda today.
