Agoda’s Bangkok office recently had the honor of hosting Thailand’s Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, along with key government officials on June 6, 2024.
To mark this special event, we brought together Agoda employees globally for an opportunity to engage with the Prime Minister in an exclusive Town Hall session.
The Prime Minister’s visit served as a pivotal platform for us to showcase our global operations, proudly rooted in Thailand, as well as Agoda’s diverse talents who are shaping the future of travel every day.
With over 7,000 employees across 40+ offices, and more than 3,100 based in Bangkok, Agoda’s growth in Thailand mirrors the growth of our employees. In addition to growing the size of our workforce, we’ve also been investing heavily in their development. For instance, we offer over 100 skill-building webinars and training sessions annually. Our tech team also engages with local tech communities to host meet-ups and knowledge-sharing sessions, ensuring local talents stay on top of new technologies.
Our investment in cutting-edge tech and data infrastructure is among the top reasons why we’re top of mind for local professionals, earning us the title of one of the top companies in Thailand. Additionally, our Employee Resource Group for Thai employees, THrive, enhances cross-cultural understanding, enabling all employees to thrive and succeed.
In fruitful discussions with our leadership team, we also explored collaborations with the Prime Minister, aimed at bolstering Thailand’s vision of emerging as the Silicon Valley of Asia. Over the years, we have been partnering with the Government of Thailand, to further inspire and upskill the future tech generations at Agoda.
This partnership builds on our existing employee-led initiatives, including our flagship Agoda Tech Camp Day, a series of in-depth workshops in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).
The Prime Minister of Thailand, Mr. Srettha Thavisin (left) with Omri Morgenshtern, CEO of Agoda
Speaking to Agodans, Prime Minister Srettha expressed, ““The transformation of Thailand into a leading technology hub showcases our national ambition. We are committed to enhancing our workforce’s digital skills and driving innovation. Collaborating with Agoda will amplify the benefits of developing our tech workforce and assisting in our journey to become a premier digital economy. With business-friendly policies, we provide a fertile ground for organizations like Agoda to invest and flourish in Thailand.”
Accompanying the Prime Minister were Dr. Prommin Lertsuridej, Secretary-General to the Prime Minister; Ms. Theerapa Pairohakul, Deputy Secretary- General to the Prime Minister for Political Affairs; Ms. NatthriyaThaweewong, Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister (Administration); Mr. Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary-General of Thailand Board of Investment; and Mr. Chakraphon Tangsutthitham, Vice Minister, Ministry of Tourism and Sport.
Agoda’s CEO, Omri Morgenshtern, echoed this sentiment, stating, “We see Thailand recognized not just for its rich culture and landscapes but as a hub of technological innovation. We are committed to support the Thai government and making efforts towards realizing the vision of transforming Thailand into the new Silicon Valley of Asia. Today with the Prime Minister we discussed actions to advance Thailand’s status as a global center for technological progress and innovation.”
Reflecting on the event, Pichamonch (Pomme) Pintola, Global Government Affairs Manager, remarked, “The event is an important milestone for the company as we reinforce Agoda’s long-standing partnership with the Government. We look forward to further driving the growth of the local tech and travel ecosystem in Thailand, through our employee-led initiatives and corporate social responsibility programs.”
The event involved the collaborative efforts of the Global Affairs, Workplace Experience, Crisis & Security, and Communications teams, working tirelessly to ensure a seamless and memorable experience for everyone. Pomme added, “We’re extremely proud to have pulled off this momentous event within a short turnaround time. It truly speaks to the dedication of our teams across departments, showcasing Agoda’s value in delivering results with excellence, moving fast, and taking ownership.”
