From Bangladesh to Bangkok: Shahed’s Life at Agoda
- Shahed Satter
- Senior Software Engineer, Engineering & Technology
- Lived in Bangkok since 2020
Before joining Agoda, I worked as a Software Engineer at the United Nations, a role that first brought me to Bangkok. During COVID, I returned to my home country, Bangladesh, and spent two years working remotely. Having already experienced life in Bangkok, I knew it was where I wanted to return
Bangkok truly has something for everyone and offers a much better standard of living at a lower cost compared to many other countries. Thailand is famous for its countless, breathtakingly beautiful destinations to explore. The Thai people are incredibly kind, and living here brings me a sense of calm and peace.
I joined Agoda in August 2022, and what makes tech at Agoda particularly exciting is the scale and complexity of the systems. With heavy data processing and constant challenges to solve and optimize, Agoda provides endless opportunities for innovation and growth in a dynamic and collaborative environment.
A Day in the Life of Agoda’s Fintech Team
I’m part of the Fintech team within the Engineering department, and we work closely with the Finance and Product teams to drive efficiencies and new market opportunities in this exciting field. Fintech is a fast-growing innovation at Agoda, and we have a wide range of projects from traditional finance to cutting-edge customer fintech.
For example, I am currently actively involved in the US Taxes Migration project, which focuses on integrating tax data from a new vendor. The US taxation model for lodging is entirely different from the rest of the world, presenting unique challenges and opportunities. The new vendor provides more accurate data, and I am working on building our system to seamlessly consume and utilize this improved data, ensuring compliance and enhancing operational efficiency.
Within my team, I’m the scrum master, so my typical day is both dynamic and productive. My day usually starts with daily update meetings where we discuss the status of key results for the quarter and align on the roadmap for relevant business goals. I also spend time performing design reviews or conducting impact analyses on new topics. A significant part of my day is dedicated to coding and even more coding, or testing my features, and reviewing others’ code to ensure quality and collaboration within the team.
The Tech Stack at Agoda: Designed for Scale and Complexity
Agoda’s tech stack is built to handle large-scale operations and complex challenges. It includes Scala and Kotlin-based backend applications, Spark for large-scale data processing, and React for UI applications.
The infrastructure and platform teams, including DB, DevOps, and private cloud (with our own Kubernetes infrastructure), ensure that developers can focus on building and optimizing without worrying about database-related or deployment headaches.
Growing at Agoda: Diverse Opportunities and Inspiring Leadership
What makes working at Agoda exciting is the incredible sense of ownership my colleagues demonstrate—they take it to the next level, and I know I can count on them for anything. The work environment is chill and supportive; no one places unnecessary burdens on you. There are also lots of opportunities to make a real impact at Agoda. This not only contributes to the company’s success but also aids in gaining recognition and advancing to the next level.
Professionally, Agoda has helped me grow by allowing me to work within complex systems that influence other systems, fostering my technical skills through thorough analysis before implementing any changes. The company also emphasizes a lot on the data-driven mindset, so we know what we are working on is meaningful and no decisions are taken lightly.
Additionally, I have experienced personal growth by leading teams and effectively dealing with stakeholders, further enhancing my leadership and communication abilities.
Living in Bangkok: Never A Dull Moment
What I enjoy most about living in Bangkok is that it truly offers something for everyone. As a Muslim, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how accepting the community is and by the availability of halal food and restaurants across Thailand. It’s also incredibly easy to prepare meals at home or get food outside for a cheap price, making daily life convenient and enjoyable.
Outside of work, I love playing football. I’ve joined a football team here, and we regularly play 90-minute games on weekends, which has been a great way to stay active and connect with others. My other hobbies include drone photography, working out, traveling, watching TV series, spending time with friends, and board game nights, which are always a fun way to connect with others and unwind. Bangkok’s vibrant lifestyle ensures there’s always something to do, based on your interests!
For anyone considering relocating to Bangkok for Agoda, my advice is to explore beyond the touristy areas. While Bangkok’s traffic has a reputation, it’s not as bad as it seems—most congestion is near tourist hotspots, and avoiding peak hours makes a big difference. The city offers plenty of great neighborhoods and condos that provide a fantastic lifestyle. Additionally, Bangkok’s central location makes it easy to travel within Thailand and across Asia, offering endless opportunities to explore and discover new destinations.
Building Community in Bangkok: Meaningful Friendships and Discovering a New Version of You
Settling into Agoda and Bangkok was a smooth experience, thanks to my teammates who were incredibly helpful and patient as I learned the ropes. My relocation from Dhaka to Bangkok was a smooth experience, as Agoda provided extensive support, including hotels, flights, visa assistance, and coverage for other relocation expenses.
Even before my orientation at Agoda, I was able to connect with a non-professional football team participating in a yearlong casual league, which helped me build meaningful connections outside of work.
For anyone nervous about starting fresh in a new city or workplace, my advice is to embrace the challenge. Moving away from friends and family and stepping out of your comfort zone can be tough, but it’s also a grand opportunity to discover yourself in ways you never imagined. You might just fall in love with the new version of you.
Cost of living in Bangkok: Balancing Affordability and Lifestyle Choices
The cost of living in Bangkok is higher than in Dhaka, Bangladesh, but the standard of living is significantly better. Bangkok offers a wide range of amenities that enhance daily life, such as fitness clubs that provide comprehensive facilities. My gym, for example, includes a small football field and various athletic training stations, all for an unbelievable price that you’d never find in the West. This balance of cost and quality makes Bangkok an attractive place to live.
Final Thoughts: Why Agoda is the Place to Be
For anyone considering joining Agoda in Bangkok, you’ll find a wealth of interesting challenges to solve in a dynamic and innovative environment. The blend of Thai culture, with its inherent peace and calm, adds to the appeal, offering a great lifestyle at a very low cost, especially compared to the West. I love contributing to building a leading travel tech platform in Asia and the world. Knowing that my work creates a high impact globally is incredibly fulfilling and motivates me to continue growing and making a difference. So, if you’re looking for a place where you can thrive professionally while enjoying an exceptional quality of life, Agoda is the perfect choice.
