China Airlines flight CI840 was scheduled to depart Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (KHH) for Kaohsiung at 18:35 on October 28, operated by a Boeing 737-800 registered B-18665. While the aircraft was taxiing for departure, it encountered a large hole in the taxiway pavement; its wheels became trapped in the depression and the jet could not move, so the flight never departed. Video and photos posted by passengers on Threads show the aircraft stopped on the apron at night, with broken pavement and scattered debris beneath the fuselage near the landing gear as ground crew in high-visibility vests worked around it.
Passengers said they felt strong bumps while taxiing, and the captain announced that the aircraft had left the paved surface and would be inspected. Cabin crew later announced a controlled disembarkation: all passengers left the aircraft and were taken away by shuttle bus, and China Airlines arranged hotel accommodation in Bangkok, leaving them to stay an extra night instead of returning to Kaohsiung. The aircraft itself also remained in Bangkok overnight. Passengers posting about the incident said Kaohsiung Airport's curfew had added to their worries about the trip home before the hotel arrangement was confirmed.
As of publication, neither China Airlines nor Suvarnabhumi Airport has released an official account of why the pavement failed, whether the aircraft was damaged, or where responsibility for the incident lies. The only accounts available so far are the videos and posts published by passengers who were on board.