Did you know about 'world's saddest escalator'?

You heave a sigh. Maybe you turn around to get one last look before you bid adieu. This is the point when a certain dread starts to creep in about what awaits on the other side of it.

It’s not an amusement ride (or maybe it is?). Either way, the internet has gone full emo over what it’s calling the “world’s saddest escalator”: the international departures escalator at Suvarnabhumi Airport. And honestly? The title fits.

It’s the final moving staircase before goodbyes, departure, and the crushing realisation that your Thailand holiday is officially over. And the idea that the reality of mundane life is only hours away is just awful.

The funniest part? People online genuinely seem emotionally attached to this escalator.

Travellers leaving the airport are dramatically filming themselves ascending the escalator like defeated movie protagonists. Some stare blankly into the distance. Others pan their cameras for one last glimpse of Bangkok before disappearing into reality. The background music is almost always heartbreakingly cinematic. Be warned, you are not ready for the ones with "See You Again" music!

The departure escalator at Bangkok airport has unexpectedly become a full-blown social media character.

Now, if you Google it or search for the term on social media, you’ll realise this is more than just a trend, it's more like a viral farewell ritual.

One user commented, "Been to Thailand 6 times and this still hits hard each time."

Thailand has a sneaky way of making you emotionally attached. One minute, you’re wandering through the 7-Eleven aisles at midnight, bargaining for elephant pants you absolutely do not need. The next, you’re standing on an escalator, already dreading the laundry pile, the dust gathering at home while you were away, and — let’s not even get started on the work scaries.

What makes this escalator oddly universal is that it captures a very specific kind of travel sadness — the grief of leaving a place where you briefly became a happier, more carefree version of yourself.

But why Thailand? Honestly, Thailand hardly needs an introduction as a tourist hotspot. According to the Euromonitor's Top 100 City Destinations Index 2025, Bangkok topped the chart, drawing travellers from across the globe.

It’s also consistently among the most preferred international destinations, especially for Indian travellers in several travel surveys. Whether it’s for honeymoons, bachelorettes, family vacations or a first solo trip, Indians keep returning to Thailand for its tropical charm, beachy aesthetic and easy getaway appeal — perfect for both quick escapes and long holidays.

And well, few things hit harder than leaving Thailand with 14 fridge magnets, an overstuffed carry-on, and the false confidence that you’ll 'definitely recreate that Thai basil chicken at home.'