Thai Airways and Thai Air Asia have banned using power banks to charge devices on flights due to increasing incidents of cabin fires caused by portable batteries.
While passengers can still carry power banks in their carry-on bags, they must follow capacity limits set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), allowing up to 100 Wh (20,000 mAh) with a maximum of 20 units per passenger and only two units if between 100-160 Wh (32,000 mAh).
The ban follows incidents like an AirAsia flight in February 2024, where a power bank exploded mid-flight, and a fire on an Air Busan aircraft in January 2025, triggered by a power bank in an overhead compartment.
Airlines in South Korea and Taiwan have adopted even stricter measures, prohibiting in-flight charging and restricting storage in overhead compartments to enhance passenger safety.
