Travellers flying to and from Thailand should take note of new restrictions on power banks and lithium batteries that have now been formally reinforced by Thailand’s aviation authorities.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) announced updated regulations aimed at improving passenger safety following several battery-related fire incidents on commercial flights in recent years. The measures are largely aligned with international aviation standards and are already enforced by many airlines worldwide.
Passengers are no longer allowed to place power banks in checked luggage. Instead, all power banks must be carried in cabin baggage where they can be monitored more easily by passengers and cabin crew.
Under the updated rules, power banks with a capacity of up to 100 watt-hours (Wh), or approximately 20,000mAh, are generally permitted on board. Devices with capacities between 101Wh and 160Wh require prior approval from the airline before travel. Any power bank without a clearly visible capacity label may be refused at security checkpoints or boarding gates.
In addition, travellers are limited to carrying a maximum of two lithium battery devices.
New In-Flight Restrictions
The CAAT has also introduced stricter rules regarding the use of power banks during flights.
Passengers are prohibited from using power banks to charge mobile phones, tablets or other electronic devices while in the air. Charging the power banks themselves is also not allowed during the journey.
Another notable change is that power banks should not be stored inside overhead luggage compartments. Instead, passengers are advised to keep them in easily accessible locations such as seat pockets, under-seat storage areas or on their person. This allows cabin crew to react quickly if a battery overheats, emits smoke or catches fire.
Travellers are also encouraged to use protective cases or pouches to prevent short circuits and accidental contact with metal objects.
Why the Rules Were Introduced
The tighter regulations come after several high-profile battery-related incidents in Asia.
In January 2025, a fire broke out aboard an Air Busan aircraft in South Korea before take-off, with preliminary investigations suggesting a power bank may have been involved.
Thailand also experienced its own scare in July 2025 when a Bangkok Airways flight travelling from Koh Samui to Hong Kong was forced to divert after a power bank caught fire onboard. A similar incident occurred on a Thai AirAsia flight in 2024.
Although cabin crews successfully controlled the situations, authorities said the incidents highlighted the potential dangers posed by damaged or improperly used lithium batteries.
What Singapore Travellers Should Know
For Singaporeans travelling to Thailand, the new regulations are unlikely to affect most commonly used power banks, as popular models from brands such as Anker, Xiaomi and UGREEN typically fall below the 20,000mAh threshold.
However, travellers should check the printed capacity on their devices before flying and avoid packing power banks in checked baggage. Those carrying larger-capacity models should contact their airline in advance to determine whether approval is required.
The updated rules are intended to enhance aviation safety and reduce the risk of battery-related emergencies onboard aircraft, ensuring safer journeys for passengers and crew alike.