Before joining Agoda, I worked as a Frontend Engineer at an Indonesian online marketplace, working remotely from my home in Medan during the COVID-19 lockdown. My decision to join Agoda in Bangkok was driven by a long-standing desire, since my university days, to work with diverse international colleagues.
Life as a Staff Software Engineer at Agoda
At Agoda, I focus on building Agoda data platforms. One of our processes is to use design documentation to bridge the gap between a great idea and a solid implementation. At Agoda, if you have a great idea, you’re encouraged to speak up and propose it.
Our team is currently leaning heavily into AI adoption, building tools like MCP (Model Context Protocol), Agent Skills and Harness Engineering to evolve how we work. The collaborative and supportive nature of my colleagues has significantly contributed to my professional growth. A project that stands out to me is the Workflow Editor UI; by implementing major performance optimizations, we transformed it into a faster and more responsive tool capable of handling larger datasets.
Growing at Agoda: Learning to Take Ownership of My Career
At Agoda, I’ve gained a much clearer perspective on my career development, learning the importance of taking initiative to drive my own path forward. Professionally, Agoda has significantly enhanced my ability to view problems from a user experience perspective. This shift has been invaluable, leading to better judgment in decision-making, especially around task prioritization and evaluating whether we are on the right path.
The Tech at Agoda: Experimentation, Flexibility, and Constant Improvement
Our frontend development primarily uses React and TypeScript, while the backend leverages Python, TypeScript, and sometimes Kotlin. To me, the tech culture at Agoda is innovative, with a strong emphasis on continuously seeking and implementing improvements across our systems. We are always keen to explore technologies that enhance our architecture and performance.
What makes Tech at Agoda particularly attractive is the flexibility and strong emphasis on experimentation. We are encouraged to learn, tinker with new ideas, and explore cutting-edge technologies, which creates a dynamic and growth-oriented environment. The collaborative spirit among colleagues, where everyone is eager to help achieve shared objectives, also makes it a highly appealing place to work.
Relocating to Bangkok: A Smooth First Move Abroad
I love Bangkok because of its vibrant culture, delicious and affordable food scene, and an incredibly friendly atmosphere that still manages to feel like home. The city offered the prospect of a better quality of life, which was a big reason I chose to move here from Indonesia. This was my first experience relocating to a new city, let alone a new country.
My experience relocating to Bangkok for work was surprisingly smooth, largely thanks to Agoda’s comprehensive support. As this was my first international move, their assistance was invaluable. I initially relocated alone, and my wife joined me last year after we got married, also relocating to Bangkok to live with me.
Living in Bangkok: An Active Lifestyle with Great Food and Weekend Escapes
What I enjoy most about living in Bangkok is its energy and variety. I love traveling, trying foods I haven’t had before, and discovering new places around Thailand. I’m also a recreational runner, and we recently ran the Pattaya Marathon 2025, which was super fun. Enjoying the beach views after a run felt especially refreshing. Bangkok gives me the chance to combine an active lifestyle with easy access to food, travel, and new experiences.
Community and Settling In: Feeling at Home Through People and Shared Experiences
Settling into Agoda and Bangkok was super smooth. The visa team was very supportive, and Bangkok already felt like home because I see a similar friendliness in the culture to what I know from Indonesia. I’ve really enjoyed my time so far. I’ve also been able to build connections with my teammates, including a Data Platform team outing to Pattaya where we played games and spent quality time together. If I were to give advice to someone starting fresh, I’d say just embrace the unknown. Prepare well, trust the process, and go for it.
Cost of Living in Bangkok
Bangkok is relatively more expensive than Indonesia in general, by around 30% roughly. At the same time, there are some things that can be cheaper here, such as certain fruits and clothes you can find at places like Platinum Mall and local markets. Overall, the cost feels manageable for the great quality of life the city offers.
Final Thoughts: Why Consider Agoda?
Joining Agoda has improved my mindset a lot and helped me grow both professionally and personally in a very welcoming environment. I continue to learn, take on fulfilling work, and develop in ways I really value.
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