My husband Gavin received an Agoda job offer in December 2018, and the idea of moving to Bangkok quickly became an exciting possibility. Initially, we thought it would be a short-term adventure. Just a year or two. So, we kept our apartment in Cape Town as a backup plan. At that time, I had a remote role in South Africa, and was able to work from Bangkok while we settled in.
Neither of us had been to Asia before, let alone Bangkok, so we weren’t sure what to expect. However, within a month of arriving, we knew we wanted to stay longer. Within a year, we decided that Bangkok was where we wanted to build our future. It was during this time that we started thinking about having kids and realized Bangkok was the place where we wanted them to be born and raised.
A Day in our Life at Agoda
Gavin is part of the Product team, where he leads Marketing and Front End for Accommodation. Gavin’s day-to-day work at Agoda involves a mix of technical and strategic tasks. He combines hands-on analytics with project management and stakeholder collaboration, which keeps his role dynamic and engaging.
I took a break from my previous company to focus on raising our boys. When they turned two, I decided it was time to return to my career. After hearing how much fun Gavin was having at Agoda, I started eyeing available opportunities that suited my work experience and skills and found a perfect position at Agoda within the People team. I joined Agoda in 2023, as a strategic project manager within the Real-Estate and Workplace Services Team and I am now Head of Workplace Environments. My day to day involves working on a number of different projects spanning across our global offices, interacting with various business unit stakeholders, and using data to support me making recommendations to these stakeholders.
People think we see each other a lot in the office given that we work for the same company. But we don’t (I think in the past 2 years we have seen each other at work maybe 10 times?). The company is big; we have more than 7,000 employees in total, with more than 3,000 of us working in our Bangkok office spread across multiple floors. What makes Agoda’s work environment special is the diversity of Agoda’s workforce. Working with colleagues from all over the world has been an enriching experience, allowing us to learn about different cultures and perspectives.
Agoda also stands out for its family-friendly environment. The company organizes fun events throughout the year, such as Family Sports Day and Halloween celebrations for kids. Our boys loved dressing up and trick-or-treating at the office, which made them feel included in our work life.
The Bangkok Lifestyle: Raising a Family in Bangkok
Bangkok has offered us a calm and peaceful lifestyle despite being a bustling city. Thai people are incredibly kind and helpful, even if we haven’t fully mastered the Thai language. We were surprised by how calm and organized the city feels, even in the midst of its busy traffic.
We love living in condos with shared facilities like swimming pools, gyms, and play areas for kids. Our boys have made friends with other children in the condo, and we’ve built great relationships with our neighbors. Public transport is convenient, with tuk-tuks and BTS trains making it easy to get around. On weekends, we enjoy taking the boys to parks, indoor play centers, and family-friendly attractions like Safari World.
Bangkok’s festive holidays, like Loy Krathong and Songkran, have been a joy to experience. Even Christmas is celebrated in a big way here, with decorations and events that rival those back home. Our boys love swimming, riding the BTS train, and exploring the city with us. We’ve also taken weekend trips to nearby destinations like Hua Hin, Pattaya, and Kanchanaburi, as well as short flights to Hong Kong and Singapore.
Settling into Bangkok and Agoda has been a smooth and rewarding experience. When we first got here, Gavin’s colleagues were welcoming, and the Agoda+1 events helped us make connections early on. By the time our boys were born, we already had a strong support system of friends who became our Bangkok family.
When I started work at Agoda, it gave me a new sense of identity and connection to the city. Having my own colleagues and work events added another layer to our life in Bangkok, beyond being a wife and mom.
My advice to anyone nervous about starting fresh in a new city or workplace is to put yourself out there. Join expat Facebook groups, attend meetups, and participate in events like Agoda+1. Once you start making connections, the transition becomes much easier.
Living in Bangkok: A Family-Friendly Cost of Living
The cost of living in Bangkok is significantly lower than in Cape Town. Housing is affordable, and condos often come with amenities like gyms and swimming pools. Food is inexpensive and varied, with options ranging from street food to high-end restaurants. Public transport is also very affordable, making it easy to get around the city.
As we have left our families & support network behind, we needed to look for additional help and support in Bangkok. There is a great Expat family community here, which has allowed us to find a wonderful nanny for our kids (when they were newborn, we had a day nanny and a night nanny – another good affordable part of living here).
Our kids were also born here at Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital – there have been times we thought the hospital is fancier than a 5-star hotel!
Our boys attend a Reggio-inspired Kindergarten – with a lovely outside garden and play area (it even has a butterfly house). There are many options for international schools in Bangkok – whether you want to follow the America, Australian, Singaporean or British curriculum.
Bangkok’s affordability has allowed us to host family members for extended visits. Our condo is spacious enough to accommodate guests, and we’ve had family stay with us for three to four months a year.
Final Thoughts: Why Consider Agoda?
Agoda has not only been a great place for us to grow professionally but also a company that supports our family life. The work-life balance, flexible work arrangements, and family-friendly events have allowed us to spend more quality time with our kids while thriving in our careers. From being able to take our boys to and from school on work-from-home days to enjoying family events like Halloween and Family Sports Day, Agoda has truly made it easier for us to balance work and family.
Bangkok has also been an incredible place to raise our family. The city offers a safe and welcoming environment, with plenty of activities for kids and families.
If you’re considering joining Agoda and relocating to Bangkok with your family, we’d recommend it. The support from Agoda and the vibrant lifestyle in Bangkok make it an ideal place to live, work, and raise children. We feel incredibly lucky to have built a life here and wouldn’t trade it for anything.
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