Before joining Agoda, I worked in a Thai tech/fashion startup as an Android team lead for almost three years. This role gave me valuable experience in both leadership and technology and helped me understand the local tech landscape in Thailand.
During my years working in Thailand, I met many ex-Agodans and really enjoyed working with them. They always spoke highly of Agoda as a workplace—even after moving on—so I wanted to see for myself what made Agoda so special.
A Day in the Life of a Staff Software Engineer in the Front-End Performance team at Agoda
I like to start my day early, usually around 7 or 8 am, before most people arrive. My mornings begin with reviewing metrics and experiments. I spend this quiet time coding or working on design tasks. After 10 am, meetings start, so I either prepare for them or participate. If there are no meetings, I continue coding, designing, or working on documentation, taking breaks as needed.
We once received reports that our Android app was consuming excessive storage on users’ devices. Over the next quarter, our team focused on deploying analytics to identify the root cause. After uncovering the issue, we implemented a fix that significantly improved the experience for our customers.
Why Agoda is an Exciting Workplace
What makes Agoda’s work environment special for me is the freedom to pursue any idea, if it can be explained and backed up with data. We’re encouraged to act as scientists- experiment, measure, adjust and try again.
In addition, the scale of our analytics and the amount of data available is impressive- you’re always working with large datasets and impactful projects.
The Tech at Agoda: Unified Stack and Limitless Innovation
I appreciate that Agoda uses a unified tech stack across the company. If something needs to be customized, there’s often an in-house implementation tailored for our needs. There are no limits to what’s possible here. The tech culture is fantastic, you are given enough responsibilities to make an impact, while being surrounded with talented individuals who are willing to share their knowledge, and you have tons of learning opportunities through projects, trainings and workshops, or even through bigger events like Agoda Developer Day for example.
Growing at Agoda: Endless Opportunities and Learning
Career growth at Agoda is real and supported. I’ve already switched teams twice since I joined, starting with the Payments team, then moving to Promocode for about a year, and now working with the FE Performance team. I was just recently promoted as well. Beyond climbing the ladder, I appreciate that every day brings something new to learn, whether it’s about technology, internal tools, or soft skills like presentation and public speaking. Agoda is a great place to grow professionally.
Living in Bangkok: Food, Fitness, and Adventure
Living in Bangkok has been a great experience. I love the variety of food options (if you’re looking for good Polish food, I recommend Larder Bkk Charcuterie!), the hot weather all year round, and the affordable lifestyle. But above all, I appreciate the safety the city offers.
When I first arrived, I spent two years exploring Thailand on a motorbike and discovering Bangkok’s dining scene. Now, I spend my free time at the gym, climbing, cycling, and experimenting with my new pizza oven.
During the week, you will find me exploring Bangkok’s night markets and parks, while I often head to the seaside for the weekend. My favorite place to go is an island called Koh Chang, which offers beautiful beaches, and a peaceful escape from the city.
Relocating to Bangkok: A Smooth Transition
I relocated to Bangkok to experience living abroad, especially in Asia. I didn’t specifically choose Bangkok at first, it just happened to offer an interesting opportunity. I originally moved for a different company and joined Agoda after living here for a while. Agoda made the transition easy, offering trips to neighboring countries for visa applications and covering hotel costs. When I first arrived, I came alone and found accommodation within a week. My advice to anyone considering relocating to Bangkok: just go for it, there’s only great experience to be had.
Building Community in Bangkok: Making Connections
Settling into Agoda and Bangkok was very easy. Bangkok is an international city, and English is widely spoken. Over the years, I’ve made friends with both expats and locals, mostly at the rock-climbing gyms where I often spend my time. The community is welcoming, and it’s easy to build meaningful connections. At work, I am also part of the rock-climbing club, and it’s a great way to connect with other Agodans who share the same passion. And to top it off, the company sponsors our day passes! We also have regular tech events at the office, which is a great opportunity to exchange with coworkers. If you’re nervous about starting fresh in a new city or workplace, know that you’ll find support and friendship here.
Cost of Living in Bangkok
Comparing the cost of living in Bangkok to Poland is tricky because it depends on your lifestyle. What’s great is that your experience of Thailand and Bangkok can be tailored based on your needs. If you’re looking to save money, spend a little on food, you will find plenty of options. If you’re looking to live a more lavish lifestyle, you can find just as many options.
But in general, Thailand is cheaper. For example, a meal in an inexpensive restaurant in Bangkok costs roughly 100-200 THB (12-23 PLN), compared to 40-50 PLN in Warsaw. For accommodations, you can find a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center of Bangkok for a price between 20,000 THB to 25,000 THB (2,300-2,900 PLN) compared to 4,000-4,500 PLN in Warsaw.
Personally, I am able to enjoy a better quality of life for less money, which means more savings. For anyone curious, I recommend checking Numbeo for accurate comparisons.
Final Thoughts: Why Agoda is the Place to Be
If you’re considering joining Agoda in Bangkok, give it a try, you won’t regret it. Working here, you make a real difference in the travel industry so look no further and apply for the job today.
