From the UK to Bangkok: Heather’s Life at Agoda
- Heather Law
- Director, Talent Business Partners, People Team
- Living in Bangkok since 2018
My journey to Bangkok began unexpectedly when my then-boyfriend, now husband, came home one day after being approached on LinkedIn for a Bangkok-based role. He had always dreamed of working abroad, but for me, the idea was completely new— I had never traveled to Asia before nor had I worked outside of the UK. Initially, we planned to stay for two years as an adventure while we were young. Seven years later, we’ve built a life here, had two children, and discovered that Bangkok truly has something to offer everyone.
When I started looking for opportunities in Bangkok, Agoda stood out as a unique choice. The fast-growing, high-energy environment was a stark contrast to the organizations I was used to. Taking the leap with Agoda turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made.
A Day in the Life of a Talent Business Partner in the People Team at Agoda
As a People Partner to our Product Teams, I collaborate with leadership to develop strategies that align with business goals. Each day is varied and impactful, so if I had to describe a day-to-day at work, it might look like that:
First, I might join a meeting with a Product leader, discussing team development or structuring KPIs to be motivating and measurable. At my desk, I analyze data to generate insights for stakeholders, shaping decisions that foster a positive and effective team culture. Then, I might join a meeting with the Compensation and Benefits team to address challenges in attracting top data analyst talent, using benchmarking to understand market barriers.
In the afternoon, I could lead a workshop to upskill managers and engage with colleagues across departments. Later, I’d collaborate with the People Team to develop a strategy and plan for a recognition platform for employees. And finally, I conduct an exit interview to gather insights that can inform future strategies.
I was a key member in driving Agoda’s flexible work culture, including our Remote Working Program and hybrid working policy (2 days in office). While the hybrid working policy saves time from commuting for employees and gives them more flexibility, the remote work program encourages employees to travel! It was a brilliant process to benchmark and work directly with Agoda’s leadership on this project.
Why Agoda is an Exciting Workplace
Our CEO, Omri Morgenstern has once said that “on any given office floor at Agoda, you will hear multiple languages be spoken at once” which is true and makes Agoda’s environment truly special. Working surrounded by so many different cultures, I’ve developed a broad range of communication skills. People here are friendly and nurture a curiosity for everything – that has again challenged me for the better, thanks to the constructive feedback and questions I’ve received.
Plus, the offices are very cool – to work in the heart of Bangkok, with access to every amenity you can think of and not to mention the volume of food options available for lunch is the best. Everyone stops what they’re doing to go on lunches together. Coming from the UK where it was dull sandwich snaffled at your desk quickly, this is an amazing way to connect, share knowledge and stories.
Finally, we also get a day per year to focus on volunteering activity, for a cause of our choice. Last year, we went to work on turtle conservation, which I loved taking part in!
Growing at Agoda: Unlocking Potential and Building Confidence
Nearly 7 years, 4 promotions, and diverse experiences later—including leading a 40+ people team managing our global office portfolio—Agoda has pushed me to take risks, grow quickly, and step into uncomfortable challenges. Despite lacking expertise at times, I was supported in an environment that allowed me to learn, experiment, and thrive.
Agoda has a brilliant learning eco-system – I have been lucky enough to attend both Agoda’s and Booking Holdings Women in Leadership Programs with coaching that has been invaluable to my career growth. Ongoingly, there is a range of internal learning sessions (almost weekly!) and access to self-learn platforms, I can dip in and out. Also, we’re always experimenting with tech and have been a true adopter of AI, which pushed me to be more efficient and learn new things.
Agoda’s leadership is smart and curious but beyond all, approachable. I had the opportunity to work with them directly, partner with them, present my data and have conversations with them. This not only helped strengthen my business acumen and my HR skills, but also my confidence.
Over my years here, I’ve learnt how to approach HR from a global perspective, how other countries approach employment and what benefits matter for different cultures. I have grown my professional and personal network to include people from all over the world, plus had the opportunity to work with brilliant people at Booking Holdings and other brands.
Relocating to Bangkok: A Seamless Transition to Embracing New Adventures
I relocated with just my husband back in 2018. The team managed my visa process from A to Z, which meant I could focus on excitement plus wrapping things up in the UK before flying over.
I had plenty of my belongings shipped from the UK to make it feel like home thanks to Agoda’s support. A good learning is that Bangkok really has a lot to offer in terms of shopping, and most of the accommodation comes furnished so you can pack light!
If I had to give some advice to someone considering moving to Bangkok, it is that stepping into the unknown will always feel like a risk, but it’s worth it! From my perspective, here, I get to experience the best of both climates between Europe and Asia; I travel back home in the European summer using Agoda’s Remote Work Program and have friends and family visit here over their winter months as they want to escape. I get to explore neighboring countries, discover new cultures and enjoy Bangkok’s convenience. Even after all those years, I still love living here.
Living in Bangkok with Young Children
Living in Bangkok with young children provides endless opportunities for learning, play, and bonding. We’ve enjoyed amazing playgroups and parent-baby hangouts with small, clean, and diverse classes that expose kids to different cultures. Bangkok offers activities like swimming, Baby Ballet, gymnastics, and even coding classes for kids as young as three, all with excellent facilities and staff. Agoda Choice benefits have also supported my children’s learning experiences.
Family activities in Bangkok are endless. We enjoy kids’ cafes, indoor playgrounds, swimming, and trips to Benchasiri Park. Weekends often include boat rides, mall events, or beach getaways to Hua Hin. Traveling within Asia with kids is also surprisingly easy and enjoyable, thanks to the region’s family-friendly culture.
Building Community in Bangkok: Making Lifelong Friends
Relocating to Bangkok without ever having visited Asia was a big adventure. While the city initially felt vast and busy, getting to know my neighborhood, discovering favorite spots, and mastering the public transport system quickly transformed it into an incredible place to call home. A local tuk-tuk food tour helped me connect with Thai culture and the food scene. Doing touristy things and seeking advice from Agoda colleagues, many of whom have relocated before, made settling in much easier.
Our Thai nanny has been a key part of our integration into the local community, teaching us about traditional celebrations, the language, and delicious food. At work, lunch breaks are a great time to swap travel tips and learn about new foods and cultures.
It’s normal to feel nervous about starting fresh, but Agoda’s expat community is incredibly warm and welcoming, always ready to share advice and connections- and there are 1500 of us!
Cost of Living in Bangkok
Childcare in Bangkok is flexible and affordable, around 35% less of what full-time childcare for 2 children would be in the UK. We’ve had a wonderful live-out nanny, which allows us to maintain a balanced lifestyle, with time for gym classes, date nights, and a stress-free morning routine.
Rental has similar costs to the UK as we choose to be close to the city center, however household charges (electricity, water) are considerably lower.
Public transport, which is much cheaper than in the UK, is a huge saving to expenditure compared to the UK, and everything is well connected with the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS Skytrain) and Metro (MRT).
Food and drink – eating out there is a range of prices, but you can get a full meal of great quality for the equivalent of 5-6 GBP easily compared to 15-20 GBP in the UK (around a third of the cost).
Final Thoughts: Why Agoda is the Place to Be
Relocating to Bangkok with Agoda is a leap worth taking. The company’s diversity and dynamic environment, paired with the excitement of the travel industry, make it truly special. I’ve grown professionally and personally, discovering new cultures, trying incredible experiences like diving, and meeting lifelong friends. Being away from home has helped me grow my identity and embrace the best of everything. If you’re considering it, take the leap—you won’t regret it!
