From Spain and Singapore to Bangkok: this is Alvaro’s Life at Agoda
- Alvaro Jimenez
- Associate Manager, Corporate Strategy
- Living in Bangkok since 2024
Before joining Agoda, I worked as a strategy consultant for L.E.K. Consulting in Singapore. I decided to join Agoda in Bangkok for two main reasons: Agoda’s culture, top team, and leading position in the travel industry, and my desire to continue living in Asia.
While in Singapore, I had the chance to visit Bangkok a couple of times. I saw it was a bustling city like no other with a great mix of local tradition and modern leisure options.
A Day in the Life of an Associate Manager in Corporate Strategy at Agoda
My work typically involves growth and market assessment, looking at how Agoda and the market are performing and exploring new business opportunities, such as whether we should launch a new business line or expand into new markets. Day-to-day activities include data analysis, market research, critical thinking, and aligning with different teams within Agoda, like Marketing, Supply, and Tech.
One project I worked on is the Japan country strategy. We realized that we were significantly under-indexed in certain prefectures, even though they are sizeable markets. This insight could open new opportunities for growth. These findings and the actions are what make the work exciting.
Why Agoda is an Exciting Workplace
Agoda is an exciting workplace because of its fast-paced environment and talented team. There is so much diversity at Agoda, you can hear different languages as you walk into the office and meet people with interesting backgrounds. Not only that, but you can also feel the hiring standards are high and people are experts at what they do, it is inspiring to be surrounded with so many talented colleagues and a great way to learn. Lastly, the company’s culture encourages innovation and collaboration, the work is meaningful, and there’s always a new challenge to tackle.
Relocating to Bangkok: A Thrilling Move
I relocated to Bangkok from Singapore. Bangkok is a thrilling city that combines deep local Thai culture and rich history with modern amenities and infrastructure. There are countless places to discover, and every corner has its own story. I moved alone, but my partner is from Bangkok. Agoda took care of all the administrative details, including visa arrangements, transportation, and one month of accommodation. Their support made the transition smooth and stress-free. My advice for anyone relocating is to spend time walking around the area of the flats you visit to get a real feel of the neighborhood before you actually settle. Every neighborhood in Bangkok has its own, unique specifics.
Living in Bangkok: Culture, Food, and Leisure
What I enjoy most about living in Bangkok is the mix of culture, the incredible food options, and the vast range of fun activities. Outside of work, I love going to museums and temples, dining out, and experiencing the city’s nightlife.
There are so many different cool areas, but I will give three less-known recommendations. On culture, I really like the elusive Lakshmi shrine at Gaysorn Village, to discover the beautiful, pink-themed offerings to the goddess of prosperity (even people dress in pink to make a merit). On food, the boat noodles from Victory monument canal shops (for a very local experience) or any of the Thong Smith branches can’t be missed. Finally, regarding nightlife, Beamcube and Blaq Lyte Rover are good choices for some groovy tunes!
Building Community in Bangkok: Forming Connections at Work and Beyond
Settling into Agoda and Bangkok has been very positive. The city is welcoming, and it’s easy to build meaningful connections with both colleagues and the local community. For anyone nervous about starting fresh in a new city or workplace, my advice is to stay open-minded and take the time to explore—there’s a lot to discover, and people are generally friendly and helpful.
I made friends with people just by going to public places alone (mainly bars / clubs) and initiating conversations, I never had a bad experience and allowed me to meet amazing people, so I would highly recommend taking the leap! This way I was able to meet like-minded expats, but also locals. Then, my girlfriend is Thai, and that helped opened the fantastic pure local side of Bangkok as well.
Cost of Living in Bangkok: Quality Living but Affordable
Bangkok is more affordable than Madrid. The cost of living allows for a comfortable lifestyle, with plenty of options for dining, entertainment, and travel.
For example, a meal in a mid-tier restaurant in Madrid would cost ~ EUR 30 / THB 1,200, while in Bangkok you can easily have it for EUR ~ 15 / THB 600. Regarding accommodation, Bangkok is 20-30% cheaper than Madrid.
Final Thoughts: Why Agoda is the Place to Be
If you’re considering joining Agoda in Bangkok, go for it. You’ll get to work on impactful projects with a talented team, all while experiencing life in one of Asia’s most vibrant cities.
