I’ve been working as a software developer since 2000, with experience spanning websites, web applications, and mobile apps in various industries. Over the years, I’ve collaborated with advertising agencies, software houses, and spent time at a global insurance company in Bangkok. For the past decade, I focused on startups in Australia, gradually progressing to the role of CTO while completing a master’s degree in IT management and an MBA.
The decision to join Agoda came after realizing that while I had gained extensive experience, my background was primarily focused on greenfield or niche projects. I wanted to challenge myself by working on highly transacted websites and learning how to deliver new features while maintaining quality and operations at scale. Agoda’s reputation as the “FAANG of Asia”, known for its best-in-class engineering practices and innovation, made it the perfect place to grow.
A Day in the Life of a Software Engineer at Agoda
My day-to-day work involves collaborating across various technologies and teams, using agile scrum methodology. Depending on the project, I work on integrating systems, learning new technologies, and adapting to challenges. Continuous learning is a big part of the role, whether it’s understanding new systems or figuring out how they interact.
One of the most exciting aspects of working at Agoda is the opportunity to concept and lead projects that align with your interests. This leaves room for innovation and the chance to make a real impact. What is really refreshing is that decisions at Agoda are made using data insights, not whims. New features and changes to applications are tested with experiments. Projects can be chosen with a sense of certainty on their impact, and changes are validated to ensure that they have the desired effect. This is an exciting way to work and a useful conceptual skill to add to your professional repertoire.
Having worked on the Agoda pages to manage bookings, and more recently on booking amendment projects, it’s a great feeling to see features I’ve built being used by thousands of people every second, including my own family when we book hotels, flights and activities for weekend getaways.
Why Agoda is an Exciting Workplace
My son summed it up best when he said, “It’s like they try to create a place where people actually want to work”. Agoda’s work environment is designed to make employees feel valued and supported. The company values individual contributions and treats employees with kindness and respect. Regular feedback sessions, recognition programs, and an inclusive culture make everyone feel appreciated.
Lastly, working with some of the smartest people in the industry is both inspiring and motivating. While it can be intimidating at first, the collaborative environment at Agoda opens endless opportunities for learning and personal growth, helping me become the best professional I can be.
The Tech Stack at Agoda: Innovation and Best Practices
Agoda’s tech stack is cutting-edge and constantly evolving. While teams may use slightly different tools or architectures for similar tasks, this diversity opens opportunities to learn new technologies. The best tech stack is selected based on the task, ensuring quality and efficiency.
Complex DevOps pipelines are in place to maintain coding standards and improve team knowledge. Agoda’s tech culture emphasizes continuous learning and delivering high-quality solutions at scale, making it an exciting place for tech professionals.
Technically, I’ve had the opportunity to work on exciting software languages and frameworks which are new for me like Scala, Kotlin, React, and iOS. My biggest knowledge gains have been in automated testing, learning how it’s done at scale, and understanding different approaches across teams.
From a process perspective, I’ve learned how expansive and distributed tech teams communicate and drive efforts through OKRs and KPIs. Knowledge management practices, such as documenting applications and proposing technical changes through Request For Comments (RFCs), have been eye-opening. Agoda’s recent use of AI to simplify searching and digesting information has also been a valuable skill to grasp for future career advancement.
Growing at Agoda: Expanding Skills and Knowledge
There is a clear career progression with well-defined levels and tracks, which are documented and discussed with your manager on a regular basis. This means you know the path, have a clear outline of how to achieve promotions, and have your manager and team actively supporting your career growth opportunities.
In addition, Agoda offers numerous opportunities for learning and development. From mentorship programs to structured online learning, even down to task selection, the opportunities for learning are extensive. The company’s commitment to innovation and best-in-class engineering practices has significantly enhanced my skills and expertise.
Relocating to Bangkok: A Family Adventure
We relocated from Australia to Bangkok as a family, including my wife and two kids. We had lived in Bangkok before, but after spending 8 years in Australia, my wife was hesitant to leave again. Ultimately, we decided to move so our kids could learn Thai, be closer to my wife’s family in Thailand, and access better healthcare for our son’s medical condition. Although Australia provides specialist services of high-quality, this it often involved long waits.
Agoda made the process simple by organizing flights, transit hotels, and a month-long stay in a hotel upon arrival. They also arranged a shipping container for our household items, which was packed and delivered to our new home in Thailand.
Visa arrangements were straightforward, and Agoda provided all necessary documents and quickly responded to any queries we had. The onboarding team was incredibly helpful in making the transition smooth and stress-free.
Living in Bangkok with a family: Vibrant and Diverse
What I like is that Bangkok has something for everyone, and the city can be what you want it to be. The sheer number of restaurant establishments, accommodation options, and shopping mean that you can have a budget experience through to a high-end premium experience with all matter of variations in between. In the same way Bangkok has vibrant exciting areas and quiet back streets and parks. Making it easy to find a place that suits your lifestyle.
Outside of work, we love going on road trips in Thailand. The country’s rich history and diverse attractions make it easy to create travel itineraries filled with ancient ruins, amusement parks, water parks, zoos, beaches, temples, you name it! My kids love the themed malls and play centers, the tourist attractions, and it’s refreshing to swim at beaches near Bangkok without worrying about crocodiles, unlike in Cairns.
Navigating Education and Healthcare in Bangkok
When relocating with family and children, education is a significant consideration. International schools in Bangkok range from expensive to extremely costly, while bilingual schools offer a more affordable option, albeit with limited resources. Agoda helps ease this process by providing a list of schools that offer discounts to employees. My kids participated in trial days at several schools, and while they made friends everywhere, our final choice was based on budget, curriculum, and proximity to our desired living area.
Healthcare in Bangkok is accessible and affordable, offering options from budget-friendly to luxurious 5-star facilities. Agoda provides healthcare coverage for employees and their families. With a child who has a chronic illness, we found specialist care in Australia challenging due to long wait times and high costs. In Thailand, we can access reasonably priced private care on demand, which has been a significant advantage and relief for our family.
Building Community in Bangkok’s Moo Baan
We already had a network of family and friends in Bangkok, but moving into a “moo baan” (gated housing community) allowed us to quickly make friends with other expat families. Thai people are always friendly, and we’ve enjoyed making connections with local shopkeepers and families. At work, Agoda hosts events that help staff get to know each other.
For anyone nervous about starting fresh, Bangkok is a very inviting city. Research other people’s experiences and watch YouTube videos documenting their journeys in Thailand. You’ll soon be excited about the opportunity.
Cost of living: Affordable yet Comfortable
Compared to Australia, Thailand is about a quarter of the price for most everyday living expenses. Food, transport, and condominiums or apartments are cheap. This cost difference means we can afford to eat out a few nights a week, whereas in Australia, dining out would be a rare treat. Services considered luxuries in Australia, like massages or salon visits, are affordable in Thailand.
However, imported items, residential housing with a big yard, and education can be more expensive. You may need to reconsider your expectations if you’re used to living in a big house with an outdoor entertainment area. Living in a condominium here can offer more utility with common area facilities, and you won’t spend weekends maintaining a garden.
Final Thoughts: Why Agoda is the Place to Be
A few weeks after arriving in Bangkok we were walking in a mall called Siam Paragon, and my son said: “Thank you for taking the job at Agoda dad, I really love visiting these malls”. Personally, it’s been seeing my kids thrive in a different environment.
Professionally, the most rewarding part has been having my skills validated while extending them with best practice skills of a high standard.
Working with Agoda is an amazing opportunity for your career and an adventure for you and your family. If you’re considering joining, don’t hesitate – it’s a decision you and your family won’t regret.
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