From the USA to Bangkok: This is Deven’s Life at Agoda

I graduated as a new media designer and began my career as a print designer for top tech and food brands. After my time in print design, I moved into advertising, leading digital campaigns for major clients and collaborating with Fortune 500 brands.

Living abroad runs in my family. Born in India, I grew up in Nigeria and Liberia, then moved to the US as a teen due to a civil war. In 2016, I moved to Thailand, driven by a lifelong curiosity to experience life abroad again. Agoda offered the perfect chance to combine my passion for design with my love for global adventure. 

Leading UX at Agoda: A Day in My Role 

As Head of UX Design for a large team of over 60 talents based in Bangkok, coming from all over the world. My days are a balance of strategy, team leadership, and cross-functional influence.

I spend time coaching design managers, ensuring high-quality UX output, and aligning design efforts with business goals. A big part of my role is working with product and engineering leaders to advocate for design’s impact, solve organizational challenges, and keep the team motivated.

I also review major design initiatives, refine processes, and drive a strong design culture. It’s a mix of big-picture thinking, problem-solving, and making sure design has a seat at the table in key decisions. 

What Makes Agoda Unique 

What makes Agoda’s work environment special is the ability to drive change and embrace ambiguity—to be the CEO of your own space. Agoda’s culture encourages bottom-up innovation and empowers you to make an impact without layers of red tape.

I also love the incredible diversity of the team   , which brings a global perspective to our products and offers endless opportunities to learn from colleagues with different backgrounds. 

Growing at Agoda: Investing in People and Learning Every Day 

Career growth at Agoda is amazing. It’s one of the few organizations I’ve worked for that truly reinvests in its people. As a culture we believe in recognizing achievements, promoting from within, and providing learning and development resources to help individuals grow. 

Professionally, I never stop learning at Agoda. I’m surrounded by smart people from all over the world. The company’s flat structure and open-door policy mean you can accelerate your growth if you take ownership and learn from others. 

Returning to Bangkok: Why I Chose Bangkok (Again!) 

This is my second time relocating to Bangkok from the USA to join Agoda. I came back because I missed Agoda’s culture of innovation. But more importantly, my family and I missed living in Thailand.

After seven years here, Thailand feels like my second home. The food, culture, and environment are perfect for raising a family, and the blend of expat and local lifestyles makes the community truly remarkable. 

On a scale of 1 to 10, I’d give Agoda a 100 for relocation support. The onboarding team personalizes your move, accommodating all your needs for you and your dependents.

They take the time to understand your unique situation and offer a range of services to make the transition seamless. I’ve done it twice with my family and had zero hiccups. Agoda was extremely accommodating. 

Living in Bangkok: Family, Education, and Quality of Life 

International schools in Thailand are outstanding, with excellent curricula and amenities. Our son attends Bangkok Prep, which has a brand-new primary campus. I’m honestly jealous I didn’t have such a great school growing up! The schools personalize the experience for each child and foster an active, diverse learning environment. 

Childcare is very affordable, and most condominiums have in-house nanny rooms. Childcare here feels like adding a family member who helps in all aspects of life. 

Healthcare in Thailand is world-class. International hospitals here are like five-star hotels. Top-class service and facilities at very affordable rates, often better than what I experienced in the USA. 

There’s no shortage of activities for families, from shopping and kids’ activities to mountains and beaches. Thailand offers a wide variety of experiences for every interest and budget. 

Settling In with my Family: Welcoming and Diverse 

Settling into Agoda and Bangkok was amazing, from the interview process to moving to the city. The onboarding team, teammates, and locals made the process seamless for me and my family. 

I’ve built meaningful connections with both colleagues and the local community, forming friendships with people from all over the world. 

Bangkok has a diverse community and people from around the world. Being a huge sports fan, I’ve met many friends through sports bars watching USA sports like the NFL, NBA, etc. Part of our community buildout was also through meeting other parents through friends my son made at school, which allowed us to meet families with similar backgrounds and experiences in Bangkok. Through this network, we were exposed to meeting mutual friends and growing our network.  

If you’re nervous about starting fresh in a new city or workplace, my advice is to embrace the culture, people, and diversity. Challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone and explore everything Thailand has to offer. 

Cost of Living in Bangkok: Affordable Comforts 

The cost of living in Bangkok is remarkably affordable, allowing my money to stretch much further than in the USA and enabling a more luxurious lifestyle. Whether it’s food, hotels, or shopping, the quality and value in Thailand surpass what I experienced back home.  

For the price of a 2- and 3-star hotel in the USA, you can enjoy 5-star luxury accommodations in Thailand, complete with excellent amenities, personalized service, and attention to detail. Similarly, dining in Thailand offers incredible value. A fresh, high-quality meal can cost as little as $10, compared to $20 for a fast-food meal in the USA that often leaves you feeling unsatisfied. 

Final Thoughts: Why Consider Agoda? 

My advice: Take the risk. Get out of your comfort zone. Bangkok and Thailand is a wonderful city and country that has so much to offer for everyone, no matter your background.

The most rewarding part of my journey at Agoda has been exploring the world through travel and embracing diversity and cultures globally.