Thailand Implements New Power Bank Restrictions for Carry-On Baggage

Thailand's CAAT has enacted immediate rules requiring power banks to be in carry-on only, limiting capacity to 100Wh (160Wh with approval), banning charging during flight, and requiring them to be kept in seat pockets or under seats rather than overhead bins

What happened

Capacity Limits: Devices must not exceed 100 watt-hours (Wh) or 20,000 milliampere-hours (mAh). Batteries between 101 and 160 Wh require airline approval.
Labeling: Power banks with unclear labels or no visible capacity rating are prohibited.
Quantity: Each traveler is limited to two lithium batteries.
Usage: Charging or being charged during the flight is prohibited.
Placement: Power banks cannot be stored in overhead compartments; they must be kept in easily reachable locations like seat pockets or under seats to allow cabin crew to monitor for heat or fire. The move follows recent power bank fires on Air Busan, Bangkok Airways, and Thai AirAsia flights. The rules align with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines already enforced by many airlines

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has implemented new regulations regarding power banks on flights, effective immediately. Key changes include: - Carry-On Only: Power banks are banned from checked baggage.