Before joining Agoda, I built my career in startups and e-commerce across Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta. My passion for travel, combined with Agoda’s reputation for being data-driven and experimental, drew me to the company. I was excited by the chance to work on global challenges and make a meaningful impact.
A Day in a Life of Product Manager at Agoda
As a Product Manager, my days are dynamic and collaborative. I work closely with engineers to develop new features, partner with cross-functional teams to drive company-wide initiatives, and brainstorm growth strategies with stakeholders from Performance Marketing, Pricing, and the Accommodations Funnel. My focus is on managing our relationships with Meta Search Engines, covering connectivity, pricing, and bidding. This channel is a significant contributor to Agoda’s bookings, and I’m proud to see the real impact of our work. One recent highlight was launching a parametric, optimum-seeking bidding system based on observed elasticity.
Why Agoda is an Exciting Workplace
What sets Agoda apart is the caliber of people I get to work with every day. The company maintains a high hiring bar, attracting talented and driven individuals from around the world. The diversity of ideas and perspectives makes for stimulating conversations and a truly inspiring environment.
Growing at Agoda: Opportunities for Personal and Professional Development
Agoda offers abundant opportunities for growth, both personally and professionally. New projects are frequently launched, giving us constant chances to learn and adapt. Within the Product team, switching scrum teams is encouraged to broaden our experience. The culture here values direct, transparent, and actionable feedback. I was impressed by the prevalence of non-anonymous 360-reviews, which foster honest conversations and personal growth. Feedback is truly seen as a gift.
My Life in Bangkok: Relocating with Pets Made Easy
My wife and I moved to Bangkok with our two cats, having already fallen in love with Thailand’s quality of life, friendly people, delicious food, rich culture, and sense of safety. Bangkok’s proximity to Malaysia was also a big plus, making it easy to visit home. We were initially nervous about relocating as pet owners, but our worries were unfounded. Pet-friendly accommodations are plentiful, and services like veterinarians and pet sitters are easy to find. Thai people are very welcoming to pets—even in shopping malls and cafes. Agoda’s People and Visa team made the relocation process smooth, helping with visas, 90-day notices, and tax filing. They even arranged a month-long stay in a pet-friendly serviced apartment when we arrived.
Bangkok is a world-class city with excellent public transport in the right neighborhoods and everything you need close at hand. If public transport doesn’t reach your destination, a local motorbike taxi (motosai) is always nearby. Outside of work, I enjoy exploring the city and staying active—whether it’s going to the gym, cycling, or rock climbing, there are plenty of options.
Cost of Living in Bangkok: A High Quality of Life
The cost of living in Bangkok is similar to cities in Malaysia. For example, a typical meal at a shopping mall restaurant costs about THB250, compared to RM25 in Kuala Lumpur—roughly a 30% increase. However, the quality of ingredients and the warmth of service in Bangkok more than make up for the difference.
Final Thoughts: Why Agoda is the Place to Be
The most rewarding part of working at Agoda is the opportunity to make a real difference. As a large, fast-growing business, Agoda relies on hiring smart, motivated people and empowering them to experiment and innovate. This unique combination of opportunity and resources is what makes Agoda special. For anyone nervous about starting fresh in a new city or company, Agoda is a welcoming place with a strong community of expatriates and newcomers.
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