From the UK to Bangkok: This is Khoa’s Life at Agoda
- Khoa Phan
- Senior Software Engineer, Engineering & Technology
- Living in Bangkok, Thailand since 2022
Before joining Agoda, I worked as a Software Engineer at The LEGO Group in London. I was part of the “A La Carte” team, responsible for the Cart and Booking pages on the LEGO website. It was a fantastic experience where I honed my skills in cloud technologies, particularly AWS, and even had the opportunity to publish a blog about a feature I developed.
I joined Agoda in 2022, as the world was emerging from the COVID pandemic and travel restrictions were easing. Born and raised in London, I was keen to explore Asia, and Bangkok offered the perfect base for affordable travel across the region. Relocating also brought me closer to my roots—my family is originally from Vietnam—and allowed me to visit them more frequently. On a personal note, moving to Bangkok was a pivotal step in my relationship with my long-term partner, whom I’d been with since university in 2018. After years of long-distance due to the pandemic, we were finally able to live together, and she’s now my wife.
Agoda, however, presented a unique opportunity. Unlike my previous role, where I relied heavily on cloud services, Agoda maintains its own cloud infrastructure. This shift has challenged me to take greater ownership of my work and lead my team by example.
A day in the life as a Senior Software Engineer in the Trips Team
As a Senior Software Engineer in the Trips Team, my mornings typically start with code reviews and planning tasks to ensure smooth workflows. After our stand-up meeting, I focus on supporting my team by resolving blockers—whether that’s guiding them to find solutions or demonstrating my own approach to a problem.
When we are in the office, lunch time is undoubtedly one of the best parts of the day, as it’s a chance for the team to come together, unwind, and share laughs over a meal. and afternoons are packed with meetings. If I find a rare moment of downtime, I dive into my own tasks. On special occasions, we celebrate milestones with team dinners, which are always a highlight.
One of my proudest achievements at Agoda was leading the initiative to introduce Playwright, a new web testing tool, to our projects. My team and I successfully pitched it to senior leadership, including the CTO, VPs, and Directors. This tool has significantly improved the efficiency and quality of our web tests, enhancing our continuous integration infrastructure.
As part of Agoda’s Trips team, I oversee the shopping cart feature, which was a groundbreaking addition to Agoda’s commerce platform. We made it scalable for other white labels to use, and Agoda became the first Online Travel Agency to introduce a shopping cart feature. It’s rewarding to know that our work has contributed to improving the customer experience.
Why Agoda is an Exciting Workplace
Agoda places immense trust in its teams, allowing us to take full ownership of our projects, tech stack, and quality. This level of responsibility fosters pride in our work and ensures that customers receive the best possible product.
Growing at Agoda: Mentoring and Achieving Together
Since joining Agoda, my career has grown exponentially. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside talented colleagues who inspire me daily. In 2024, I was the sole Senior Engineer in my team, mentoring three interns and one associate engineer. By the end of the year, all three interns had received full-time offers, and two of them, along with my associate teammate, were promoted to non-associate level engineers. Watching their growth has been incredibly fulfilling.
Personally, I’ve developed my presentation skills significantly, as I frequently pitch project plans to stakeholders and my team. While I haven’t participated in hackathons, I’ve attended DevOps workshops that have given me hands-on experience with new technologies like Rspack.
The Tech at Agoda: Fast, Fail, Flourish
Agoda thrives on a culture of experimentation and continuous improvement, following the 3 F’s rule: Fast, Fail, Flourish. We run quick experiments to test new ideas, embrace failure as a learning opportunity, and refine our approach to achieve better results. This constant drive for innovation keeps the work exciting and impactful.
This constant drive for innovation is what makes tech at Agoda exciting. There’s always a team piloting new ideas, and when those are successful, they’re rolled out across the company, helping us stay ahead and deliver meaningful impact.
Living in Bangkok: Affordable, Convenient and Perfect for Foodies
Living in Bangkok has been a breath of fresh air. The city offers an incredible variety of affordable and delicious food, and the all-in-one Grab app makes life remarkably convenient—whether it’s ordering food, groceries, or booking transport. When I’m not working, I enjoy playing badminton, trying new cuisines, and cycling at the Sky Lane Suvarnabhumi Bicycle Track for a refreshing escape. Bangkok’s vibrant culture and the warmth of Thai people make everyday life here truly enjoyable.
Building Community in Bangkok: Welcoming Colleagues and Cultural Experiences
Settling in Bangkok was made easy by my amazing colleagues. They welcomed me into their out-of-work activities and introduced me to Thai culture. Over time, we’ve built strong connections, often travelling together or playing sports, which has strengthened both our friendships and teamwork.
If you’re considering a fresh start in a new city or workplace, my advice is simple: You Only Live Once. Take the leap, embrace the experience, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by opportunities to grow and connect.
Cost of Living in Bangkok: A Londoner’s Perspective on Rent, Food, and Everyday Life
Living in Bangkok versus London feels like comparing apples to mangos– or maybe Pad Thai to chicken and chips. Both cities have their unique charms, but when it comes to cost of living, here’s how I see it from a Londoner’s lens.
Fortunately, I never had to face the financial strain of paying rent in London, as I had the advantage of living at home. However, friends often describe renting in London as a significant expense, with costs swallowing up about a third (or more) of their monthly income. Bangkok flips the script completely – rent is delightfully low, with a more modest salary income. However, even if you’re earning less in Bangkok, your wallet will still breathe easier than it ever does in paid London housing. A decent place here will cost a fraction of what you’d spend back home.
In Bangkok, indulging your gluttonous side is both easy and affordable. Whether you’re treating yourself with a dish like Phat Kaphrao at a franchise like EasyBuddy for 300 baht (£6) or exploring the countless delectable options in a local food court for under 80 baht (£2), the city offers a playground of flavors without straining your finances.
In London, a £6 lunch budget doesn’t stretch as far, franchise restaurants may exceed this, leaving supermarkets as the best option for meal deals at around £4.
In London, the chilly weather often left me with colds and a runny nose, while in Bangkok, food poisoning is the more common nuisance. However, Bangkok’s healthcare is far more convenient, making doctor visits and getting medicine a quick and affordable process—unlike London, where healthcare is reliable but less accessible on short notice. I miss the UK’s cooler weather, which made outdoor activities more enjoyable. In Thailand, however, I must limit mine to dusk or dawn to avoid the intense heat.
Final Thoughts: Why Agoda is The Place to Be
For anyone considering joining Agoda in Bangkok, you’ll find the perfect combination of a vibrant city culture and a fast-paced, dynamic company. It’s an environment that keeps you energized and constantly growing, both personally and professionally.
