From Finland to Bangkok: This is Samuli's Life at Agoda

Before joining Agoda, I worked at a startup in Finland for about four years, always in technology roles. A Thai friend living in Bangkok suggested I apply to Agoda, thinking I’d be a good fit. After some research and a positive interview experience, I decided to make the move. I had visited Bangkok twice before, so I was already a bit familiar with the city and knew I would enjoy living there. 

Life as a Senior Software Engineer at Agoda 

My day-to-day work is quite varied. While I still spend some time coding, much of my role now involves discussing solutions, moving projects forward, and sometimes interviewing candidates. The work environment is trusting and flexible, with very little micromanagement and a lot of support from colleagues.  

I appreciate the freedom to choose my tasks and propose new ideas, as long as I can back them up with solid reasoning or data. One of my most rewarding experiences was releasing my first big feature, which made A/B testing much easier for my team and significantly reduced manual work. 

Leveling Up: Career Progression at Agoda 

From a developer’s perspective, career growth opportunities at Agoda are strong. There are chances to take on larger, cross-team projects and step into leadership roles. My managers have been supportive and receptive, helping me set a clear roadmap for advancement.  

In almost two years, I’ve grown a lot as a developer, taken on bigger tasks, and even led some initiatives. With my manager, I’ve set goals for the next level of my role, and the feedback has always been constructive and well-intentioned. 

Tech at Scale: The Agoda Stack Explained 

As a full-stack developer in the design system team, my work is mostly front-end-focused, using TypeScript and React, with some server-side work in C#. I’m also starting to use Kotlin, Agoda’s new server-side language.  

Agoda’s tech stack is diverse, including Scala and Java, and the company operates at a scale that offers unique challenges and learning opportunities.  

Agoda is very much a technology company in the travel industry, processing large volumes of bookings for hotels, flights, and activities, which means there’s always something new to learn and work on. 

New City, New Start: How Agoda Helped Me Settle in Bangkok 

I relocated to Bangkok from Finland, having visited the city a few times before and knowing that I liked it. I moved alone, and Agoda supported me throughout the process, reimbursing my flight tickets, booking a hotel for my first month, and handling all the visa arrangements. Everything went very smoothly, and I didn’t encounter any problems. 

A coworker at Agoda recommended an agent for finding a condominium, so even moving in was easy. My advice to anyone considering relocating is that Bangkok is a modern city with all the amenities you could need, and the transportation system is convenient if you live near the MRT or BTS lines.  

The office is centrally located and easy to access. If you come from a colder country, be prepared for the heat. But if I can adjust coming from Finland, anyone can. Agoda will help you with the relocation, so there’s no need to worry. 

Adjusting to Life in Bangkok: Favorite Perks and Pastimes  

I love trying new restaurants in Bangkok, enjoying convenient transportation, and the warm weather year-round. Swimming is easy since most condominiums have pools, and I often travel around Bangkok or to nearby cities and countries during holidays. Sometimes I just relax at home, watch series, or play games, just like I did back home. I also enjoy visiting cat cafes and meeting friends on weekends. Living in Bangkok offers a great mix of leisure, convenience, and opportunities to explore. 

How I Made Friends and Found My Place at Agoda 

Settling into Agoda and Bangkok was a smooth process. The onboarding was clear, and the people are friendly and open. I joined a volunteer event with coworkers making notebooks for children, which helped me connect with my colleagues.  

My suggestion is to just take the leap. Agoda will support you, and you’ll naturally make friends at work. People speak good English, so it’s easy to befriend both Thai colleagues and internationals.  

Learning some Thai can be helpful, especially when traveling to more remote areas, but don’t stress about it. Thai people are very polite and welcoming, and you’ll adjust quickly. 

Affordable Living: Comparing Bangkok and Helsinki 

The cost of living in Bangkok is much lower than in Helsinki, especially for food and daily expenses.  

Accommodation can be the biggest expense, particularly near the office, but there’s a wide range of options depending on location, size, and amenities. The rental market is very good, with lots of choices.  

Eating out is generally much cheaper than in Finland, especially at local restaurants, though there are also plenty of upscale options if you prefer. 

Why Agoda in Bangkok? My Honest Take After Two Years 

I encourage anyone considering Agoda to take the leap. Living in Bangkok and working at Agoda has been a great experience. In almost two years, I’ve had no issues, and everyone has been supportive and encouraging of my career development.  

Many people even return to Agoda after leaving, which says a lot about the company culture. The work culture is similar to Finland’s, which is known for being good internationally.