3 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Ah, sorry. I missed the Myanmar part. Things may be more difficult to buy there.

Not at all. The village where I lived was 250k north of Mandalay. Seemed like every second shop sold mobile phones and accessories.

Not many foreigners can go there as specially issued land transport authorisation papers are required and checked at the Mogok immigration office.

The photo is from the web, no idea who the person is. I lived and worked about 150k north of there.

10 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

Well aren't you the special one!

Never happens to anyone else....just you.

I think the presence of the ham radio gear distracts them from the power banks!

4 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

Not at all. The village where I lived was 250k north of Mandalay. Seemed like every second shop sold mobile phones and accessories.

Not many foreigners can go there as specially issued land transport authorisation papers are required and checked at the Mogok immigration office.

The photo is from the web, no idea who the person is. I lived and worked about 150k north of there.

Common mobile phone items are very easy to buy. Genuine (not Chinese fake) items are more difficult. I usually buy them in Thailand, where there is a better choice.

6 hours ago, emptypockets said:

Everything you wrote about power banks was nonsense. Airline staff will look at the power bank for the mAh rating. If it is above their limit or not easily read, you will be refused clearance. Waving a print out of an advert won't help one little bit.

Air Asia now require power banks to be carried on the person and not in carry on luggage.

I think all airlines do. They have a propensity to spontaneously combust. In a cabin that can be dealt with. In the hold it's the loss of the hull. Recently I've noticed they also insist you don't pump up your gadgets with the PB whilst on board.

Surprised to see Simon recommending something like that.

3 hours ago, BusyB said:

...

Surprised to see Simon recommending something like that.

It's because the actual capacity of power banks manufactured in China are typically far below the capacity stated on the box :) (Bit like claims of 100W from 1 tiny solar panel). I could do an actual experiment/test, but I'm confident that my power banks have a capacity well within the airline regs, (and different airlines have different regs of course).

On 4/15/2026 at 4:11 PM, simon43 said:

How about you? Any suggestions?

I buy a seat in the pointy section of the plane, check in at the dedicated counter, relax in the lounge until pre-boarding is called, then embark. Oh, and I don’t carry a bunch of stuff that’s sure to slow my progress getting through security screening. This works for me. But you do you. 😆😂😆

1 hour ago, simon43 said:

It's because the actual capacity of power banks manufactured in China are typically far below the capacity stated on the box :) (Bit like claims of 100W from 1 tiny solar panel). I could do an actual experiment/test, but I'm confident that my power banks have a capacity well within the airline regs, (and different airlines have different regs of course).

You're 'confident' eh?

But you don't know.

Like I said, I'm a bit surprised. (I expected you to see that by the way, I wasn't being snarky ;D)

2 hours ago, BusyB said:

You're 'confident' eh?

But you don't know.

Like I said, I'm a bit surprised. (I expected you to see that by the way, I wasn't being snarky ;D)

Well, I have actually have got results from using my laptop, powered by my power bank, and able to see the power consumption from the power bank, as displayed by the current demand, and then checked to see how quickly the power bank is exhausted. This wasn't a deliberate test, but because I wanted to know how long I could power my laptop from the power bank (important to know for online teaching). The results with a simple calculation showed that the claimed capacity of the power bank was false - its capacity was less (no surprise there!), and well within the rules of any airline that I know. I'm not 'naive' about electrical measurements - I have a 1st class hons degree in electronics and 40 years working/hobby in electronics :)

2 hours ago, BusyB said:

You're 'confident' eh?

But you don't know.

Like I said, I'm a bit surprised. (I expected you to see that by the way, I wasn't being snarky ;D)

4 hours ago, simon43 said:

Well, I have actually have got results from using my laptop, powered by my power bank, and able to see the power consumption from the power bank, as displayed by the current demand, and then checked to see how quickly the power bank is exhausted. This wasn't a deliberate test, but because I wanted to know how long I could power my laptop from the power bank (important to know for online teaching). The results with a simple calculation showed that the claimed capacity of the power bank was false - its capacity was less (no surprise there!), and well within the rules of any airline that I know. I'm not 'naive' about electrical measurements - I have a 1st class hons degree in electronics and 40 years working/hobby in electronics :)

So actually you do know because you have measured it and I'm happy to hear it. It's as I would have expected.

I'm not surprised by your tech chops - they've always been part of the narrative. You're one of those on here with a genuinely checkered and colorful life behind you.

20 hours ago, emptypockets said:

Everything you wrote about power banks was nonsense. Airline staff will look at the power bank for the mAh rating. If it is above their limit or not easily read, you will be refused clearance. Waving a print out of an advert won't help one little bit.

Air Asia now require power banks to be carried on the person and not in carry on luggage.

This discussion comes from a thread I started on the same issue - likely what prompted Simon’s “travel tricks” post.

That thread (linked below) raises exactly the point you mention.

The international limit is 100 Wh - roughly 27,500 mAh at 3.6 V.

My concern is simple: I don’t want my 25,000 mAh (90 Wh), US$100 power bank confiscated when leaving Thailand.

Elsewhere, it’s rarely checked - my older 10,000 mAh unit never has been. But security at Suvarnabhumi Airport used to be particularly strict.

That’s why I asked for real-world experiences travelling with higher-capacity power banks that are within IATA rules and the ICAO framework - but may still fall foul of local enforcement.

As for carrying a larger unit - it’s necessity. Power access is often unreliable, and aircraft supply is inconsistent at best. Smaller banks don’t last (and my last one had aged to the point of unreliability).

The objective is simple: one reliable backup that covers delays, outages, and worst-case scenarios.

The frustration would be that its accepted by airport security everywhere - until exiting BKK, where enforcement can be unpredictable. A compliant power bank is useless if it’s taken at the one airport where they apply their own rules.

14 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Same as US, Canada, México.

Mexico is 220 I believe.

On 4/15/2026 at 12:21 PM, wil iam not said:

All the power banks I have seen have their rating embossed or firmly printed on the actual unit, no need for Photoshopped adverts.

They can only be carried in hand luggage, I guess so that if they do explode, there will be someone to notice it.

My power banks are rate in mAh (milli ampere hours) so I don't know where your 100 watts comes from. Please explain, ta!

100Wh Watt-Hours is the acceptable limit set by IATA - that translates to approximately 27,500 mAh.

A Watt Rating - i.e. 165W would be the 'speed' at which devices can be charged.

i.e. With my Anker 25000mAh / 90Wh / 165W PowerBank I can charge the following

0% to 50% charge in:

MacBook - 30 mins

iPhone- 30 mins

iPad - 30 mins

AirPods - 30-40mins

OverEar Headphones - 30 mins

Not critical - but given the amount I travel - its good to have the backup - and one golden rule...

Never ever ever be without noise cancelling headphones !!!

I have 'in ear' for convenience (shorter flights).

Over-ear Sony WH1000's or longer flights (and when my AirPods drain).

SoundCore A30's for sleeping (active noise cancelling).

Overkill - maybe - but I wear the earpods and A30's through the airports so I don't have to listen to the hustle and bustle either...

I've noticed a significant change in travel over the past 2-3 years.

As scanning machines at airports get replaced for better models - the time to pass through security is much much quicker - what took 30mins (or in the UK sometimes an hour or more) now takes 5-10mins - and that means the choke point is no longer security - but just a lot more people hanging around air-side - its busier noisier and its hard to find a quiet area (in a lounge or not).

I've also noticed a lot more delays and issues - and sometimes running out of power is an issue.

A few years back at Don Mueng, I un-wittingly put a 20,000 mAh power bank in my check-in suitcase only to be called out before boarding, together with two other passengers, to be told that the x-ray had picked them up. They opened the suitcase there and then on the tarmac, found the bank, and confiscated it, because I had tried to ''smuggle it''.

42 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

A few years back at Don Mueng, I un-wittingly put a 20,000 mAh power bank in my check-in suitcase only to be called out before boarding, together with two other passengers, to be told that the x-ray had picked them up. They opened the suitcase there and then on the tarmac, found the bank, and confiscated it, because I had tried to ''smuggle it''.

Yes, got to be careful. I also accidentally packed a small power bank in my checked-in suitcase that had been also wrapped in plastic. The x-ray machine picked it up and I had to cut and unwrap the bag! How does the x-ray machine identify it as a power bank, as opposed to some nondescript rectangular box?

7 hours ago, wil iam not said:

A few years back at Don Mueng, I un-wittingly put a 20,000 mAh power bank in my check-in suitcase only to be called out before boarding, together with two other passengers, to be told that the x-ray had picked them up. They opened the suitcase there and then on the tarmac, found the bank, and confiscated it, because I had tried to ''smuggle it''.

I accidentally left some AAA batteries in a check in bag. At the boarding gate my wife was called over and given a stern warning as the check in put the bag against her name. If looks could kill, I would not be typing this.😳

11 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

100Wh Watt-Hours is the acceptable limit set by IATA - that translates to approximately 27,500 mAh.

A Watt Rating - i.e. 165W would be the 'speed' at which devices can be charged.

i.e. With my Anker 25000mAh / 90Wh / 165W PowerBank I can charge the following

0% to 50% charge in:

MacBook - 30 mins

iPhone- 30 mins

iPad - 30 mins

AirPods - 30-40mins

OverEar Headphones - 30 mins

Not critical - but given the amount I travel - its good to have the backup - and one golden rule...

Never ever ever be without noise cancelling headphones !!!

I have 'in ear' for convenience (shorter flights).

Over-ear Sony WH1000's or longer flights (and when my AirPods drain).

SoundCore A30's for sleeping (active noise cancelling).

Overkill - maybe - but I wear the earpods and A30's through the airports so I don't have to listen to the hustle and bustle either...

I've noticed a significant change in travel over the past 2-3 years.

As scanning machines at airports get replaced for better models - the time to pass through security is much much quicker - what took 30mins (or in the UK sometimes an hour or more) now takes 5-10mins - and that means the choke point is no longer security - but just a lot more people hanging around air-side - its busier noisier and its hard to find a quiet area (in a lounge or not).

I've also noticed a lot more delays and issues - and sometimes running out of power is an issue.

Most airports I've been to have charging stations.

11 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

100Wh Watt-Hours is the acceptable limit set by IATA - that translates to approximately 27,500 mAh.

A Watt Rating - i.e. 165W would be the 'speed' at which devices can be charged.

i.e. With my Anker 25000mAh / 90Wh / 165W PowerBank I can charge the following

0% to 50% charge in:

MacBook - 30 mins

iPhone- 30 mins

iPad - 30 mins

AirPods - 30-40mins

OverEar Headphones - 30 mins

Not critical - but given the amount I travel - its good to have the backup - and one golden rule...

Never ever ever be without noise cancelling headphones !!!

I have 'in ear' for convenience (shorter flights).

Over-ear Sony WH1000's or longer flights (and when my AirPods drain).

SoundCore A30's for sleeping (active noise cancelling).

Overkill - maybe - but I wear the earpods and A30's through the airports so I don't have to listen to the hustle and bustle either...

I've noticed a significant change in travel over the past 2-3 years.

As scanning machines at airports get replaced for better models - the time to pass through security is much much quicker - what took 30mins (or in the UK sometimes an hour or more) now takes 5-10mins - and that means the choke point is no longer security - but just a lot more people hanging around air-side - its busier noisier and its hard to find a quiet area (in a lounge or not).

I've also noticed a lot more delays and issues - and sometimes running out of power is an issue.

Turn it off. You'll survive. Read a book!

7 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Most airports I've been to have charging stations.

Or mains sockets into which you can plug your own charger.

7 hours ago, wil iam not said:

A few years back at Don Mueng, I un-wittingly put a 20,000 mAh power bank in my check-in suitcase only to be called out before boarding, together with two other passengers, to be told that the x-ray had picked them up. They opened the suitcase there and then on the tarmac, found the bank, and confiscated it, because I had tried to ''smuggle it''.

Yup - Widely known that no lithium-ion batteries are permitted in the hold - though I suspect many do actually get though - no monitoring system is perfect.

Thai Airways actually has its own rule that power-banks are not permitted to be used at all while on the air-craft.

Other airlines - no issues.

The power-bank is the perfect backup when getting stuck on an unscheduled layover without the right plugs etc - but only IF it doesn't get confiscated.

Simon’s suggestion of carrying a clean, unaltered printout of the specification sheet is a good idea. It doesn’t just provide the facts - it also quietly signals a degree of experience, competence.

On 4/16/2026 at 1:29 PM, BusyB said:

I think all airlines do. They have a propensity to spontaneously combust. In a cabin that can be dealt with. In the hold it's the loss of the hull. Recently I've noticed they also insist you don't pump up your gadgets with the PB whilst on board.

Surprised to see Simon recommending something like that.

Why?🤭

Just to comment that the likelyhood of a good quality power bank to spontaneously combust is very low. Like e-bike batteries etc, it is the low build qualty of some items from a certain, nearby country that can lead to overheating, short-circuit and bang!

Just don't thow water on it when that happens.......

18 minutes ago, nauseus said:

Why?🤭

You know the answer to that 🤭

21 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Thai Airways actually has its own rule that power-banks are not permitted to be used at all while on the air-craft.

Other airlines - no issues.

Don't the majority of proper airlines have USB sockets on the back of the seat.

12 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

9 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Most airports I've been to have charging stations.

Or mains sockets into which you can plug your own charger.

This is 'why' I actually got the larger charger - travelling as much as I do, I've found the following issues

- A number of the seat back chargers on various airlines have not worked (even when changing seats).

- A number of the seat back chargers on various airlines that do work - don't charge at a decent rate.

- Power-sockets at the airports might be occupied - or again not working

- Stuck on an un-plannaed layover without the right plug / reception has no spare

- Backup Multi-plug fragile and not working / has become damaged though years of use.

Nothing is the end of the world of course - carrying a one-size fits all power-bank solves a some problems for a frequent traveler - hardly even worthy of the full post - but I'm curious of experiences taking a >10,000 mAh power-bank out through BKK security.

Recent issues I have had:

- Flying domestically in Thailand (very last min decision) purchased ticket on way to airport - arrived at destination without phone power (unable to quickly book hotel - had to 'grab a coffee' while the nice staff gave me a quick 'phone power boost').

- Flying Int'l - connecting flight into a sh'thole cancelled - taken to hotel to over-night. Rubbish hotel power outlets different / hotel had no spare adapter plugs (staff didn't care) / <10% battery on phone / no Wifi in hotel / Had to get at taxi to nearby mall, buy a power-bank and adapter plug (update data roaming - contact company and necessary people about status / plan change).

- Driving long distance to fly out of different country (air-space closure) - airport had no power outlets to use, power bank low (didn't realise it wasn't functioning hence just bought a new one) - flight departure time highly uncertain - flight seat power adapter not working - rawdogged the flight - was able to go old skool on arrival - (knew the rub).

Again - none are above are real show-stoppers as I even in the 'worst' of countries I was not in a 'desparate situation etc..... & with good people around is there is always an option to top up charge etc on important devices like phones, while grabbing a coffee etc so we can make arrangements, book taxi's, rebook hotels, flights, alert people etc - thats the more important part of it.

Then there is the comfort factor of having power so we can kill time on longer delays / diversions etc - things happen, things have happened - its just part of travel - having a decent power bank just makes the backup easier - being prepped (if its not taken off me at BKK airport - I'm not worried about other airports).

1 minute ago, wil iam not said:

Don't the majority of proper airlines have USB sockets on the back of the seat.

Yes they do - when working: Some are very good and supply great power depending on actual aircraft and age (i.e. Emirates / Qatar / Etihad: 75W and universal plug adapter) but we can't always guarantee the 'new aircraft' that has these.

Other airlines less so - the USB-A power port supplies very low 0.5A - 2.1A - which is very slow and in many cases will not 'charge' an iPad if in use - it just slows down the power-drain.

1 hour ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Most airports I've been to have charging stations.

Many do have - in my widely travelled first hand experience - many also don't - thats the point of having a power-bank backup.

Additionally - if a layover is 50mins - it doesn't allow time for a 'power boost'.

1 hour ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Turn it off. You'll survive. Read a book!

Actually - I carry a back-up phone which is turned off - I also carry US$1000 emergency cash, also carry, emergency cards - and separately from my main wallet etc...

There are always alternatives - The power-bank conversation is about preferred and viable alternatives - with the key point being does Thailand follow the IATA rules of <100Wh PowerBank permitted through security....

I could show them a book instead - but thats not really the point.

On 4/15/2026 at 5:22 PM, unblocktheplanet said:

Why would you need a power bank, ham radio or...telescope on a plane!

I always carry a powerbank ( Eloop E63 100w) when travelling abroad, use it to charge my phone.

My problem is not the lack of electricity on the plane - it is the lack of electricity when I arrive (in Myanmar)!! I need laptop and mobile phone power banks to allow me to teach for eg 4 hours without any mains electricity.

With all the cheap chinese crap people buy on Temu, Lazada or Shopee, that explode or ignite randomly, no wonder airlines are strict with these lethal items. Not to mention per the laws of physics and pressure issues, there have been cases of world renowned smartphone brands that caught fire inflight for unidentified reasons.

On 4/16/2026 at 12:57 PM, simon43 said:

I think the presence of the ham radio gear distracts them from the power banks!

Especially when that antenna springs out and pokes them in the eye!