BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thai Airways tightened its safety rules for powerbanks on board, limiting each passenger to two devices and banning their use and charging during flights.
New rules at Thai Airways
Thai Airways International issued a safety notice on 3 April announcing new rules for portable powerbanks. Under the updated policy, each passenger was allowed to bring a maximum of two portable powerbanks on board.
At the same time, the airline strictly prohibited both the use and charging of these devices for the entire duration of the flight. Passengers were asked to comply with the rules rigorously for safety reasons.
In force since late March
According to Thai Airways, the restrictions had already been in effect since 27 March. The regulation applied to all flights operated by the airline.
The carrier stated that the measure was in line with safety requirements issued by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). As a result, the number of powerbanks per person was explicitly limited to two.
Other airlines follow suit
Focus Taiwan reported that EVA Airways and China Airlines introduced similar restrictions from 31 March. On those carriers as well, passengers were allowed to carry no more than two powerbanks in their hand luggage.
Starlux Airlines and Tigerair Taiwan were expected to adopt comparable measures from 1 April. The developments indicated a regional trend of airlines tightening their rules in parallel.
Background: Fires linked to lithium-ion batteries
The announcement came at a time when airlines in Asia and beyond were adjusting regulations for portable battery-powered devices. The changes were triggered by several incidents involving smoke and fire on board.
The focus was on lithium-ion batteries, which could become hazardous if damaged, overheated or short-circuited. Improper storage or product defects were considered key risk factors.
Incident in Thailand: Powerbank explosion on board
One such incident occurred in 2024 in Thailand on a Thai AirAsia flight to Nakhon Si Thammarat. A powerbank exploded, filling the cabin with smoke while 186 passengers were on board.
The crew managed to extinguish the fire, and the aircraft landed as scheduled. The episode highlighted why airlines were tightening rules on the handling of batteries on board.
Global reaction after South Korea fire
In the previous year, airlines worldwide, including Thai Airways, responded with stricter powerbank regulations. The backdrop was a fire on an Air Busan flight in South Korea that was linked to a defective device.
Such incidents further intensified the debate over the safety of portable batteries. Airlines increasingly relied on clear limits and explicit bans on using and charging these devices during flights.
Risk beyond aircraft: House fire in Buri Ram
The risks were not confined to aircraft cabins. In Buri Ram, a two-storey house in the Hin Khon subdistrict of Lam Plai Mat district caught fire, which firefighters eventually brought under control.
A powerbank explosion was later cited as the suspected cause. The case illustrated that these devices could also become dangerous in everyday life if defective or handled incorrectly.