Thailandâs Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) has issued new regulations tightening controls on power banks carried by airline passengers, aiming to improve flight safety and reduce the risk of lithium battery fires onboard aircraft. The new rules, announced on 4 June 2026 under Regulation No. 122, align Thailandâs aviation safety standards with the International Civil Aviation Organisationâs (ICAO) guidelines for the safe transport of dangerous goods by air. Get today's headlines by email Under the regulations, power banks may only be carried in hand luggage and are strictly prohibited in checked baggage. Passengers may carry power banks with a capacity of up to 100 Wh (20,000 mAh) without restriction, while units between 100 Wh and 160 Wh require prior airline approval and are limited to two per passenger. The rules also prohibit passengers from using power banks to charge electronic devices during a flight or charging power banks from an aircraft power source. Power banks must not be stored in overhead lockers and instead should be kept in easily accessible locations such as a seat pocket, under the seat in front, or on the passengerâs person. Devices without a clearly stated energy rating, or with information that cannot be verified, are banned from aircraft. The move follows a series of lithium battery-related incidents involving airlines in Thailand and abroad. One of the most significant occurred in early 2025 when a South Korean Air Busan aircraft preparing to depart for Hong Kong caught fire inside the cabin. Preliminary findings suggested a power bank stored in an overhead compartment may have caused the blaze, resulting in injuries, a full evacuation and severe damage to the aircraft. Other incidents included a power bank fire aboard an IndiGo flight in India after landing in Chandigarh, prompting an emergency evacuation and safety inspections. Thailand has also experienced similar events, including a Bangkok Airways flight from Samui to Hong Kong where a passengerâs power bank overheated, emitted smoke and caught fire, forcing the pilot to divert and make an emergency landing in Bangkok. A separate incident on a Thai AirAsia flight between Don Mueang and Nakhon Si Thammarat was successfully contained by cabin crew. CAAT Director General ACM Manat Chavanaprayoon said lithium batteries and power banks are widely carried by air travellers but can overheat, emit smoke or catch fire if damaged or used improperly. He said the new measures are intended to proactively reduce risks and protect passengers, crew and aircraft operations. The Nation reported that the regulator stressed that the rules are not designed to inconvenience travellers but to establish safety standards consistent with international practices. Passengers are also required to take precautions against short circuits by storing power banks in their original packaging or protective pouches and should check airline-specific requirements before travelling. Picture courtesy of CAAT Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 5 June 2026
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