Thailand Tightens Power Bank Rules for Air Travelers

Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) has issued new aviation safety regulations governing the carriage of power banks on flights. Passengers may carry a maximum of two power banks, each not exceeding 100 watt‑hours (Wh); devices between 100 Wh and 160 Wh require airline approval. Power banks are prohibited in checked baggage and cannot be charged or used to charge other devices during flight. They must be stored in easily reachable locations such as seat pockets or under the seat, not in overhead bins. The rules align with International Civil Aviation Organization guidelines and follow several incidents, including a fire on an Air Busan plane in January 2025 and onboard fires on Thai domestic flights in 2024‑2025, which prompted the crackdown.