BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand’s disaster agency warned that millions of powerbanks carried in bags and backpacks could become deadly fire hazards if used incorrectly.
Agency warns of rising powerbank incidents
The country’s disaster prevention authority DDPM issued an official warning about improper handling of powerbanks, citing an increase in incidents where devices reportedly “exploded” in bags or backpacks. According to the agency, everyday backup batteries could turn into a life-threatening firebomb when misused close to the body.
Three critical mistakes that trigger overheating
Officials identified three main causes of dangerous thermal overheating and fires, the first being charging a device in a “heat trap” such as a closed, hot space.
“Charging in a closed, hot room – for example in a car in the sun – is the main cause of the battery swelling,”
said experts at the DDPM.
The second mistake was “pass-through” charging, where a phone was charged via the powerbank while the powerbank itself remained plugged into a wall adapter, creating extreme heat from the double load. The third error was regularly draining the battery below 30%, which damaged the cells and made them unstable the next time they were charged.
From everyday helper to firebomb
DDPM director Teerapat Katchamat stressed that powerbanks were not harmless gadgets but compact chemical storage units.
“A powerbank is essentially a chemical energy storage device. If it is damaged by heat or incorrect use, it can become a serious fire hazard,”
said Teerapat Katchamat, DDPM director.
The agency reported more cases of devices bursting in bags, turning an everyday helper into a potentially life-threatening firebomb in direct contact with the body. Officials linked many of these incidents to prolonged heat exposure and the use of poor-quality products.
Five essential safety rules for users
The DDPM published a five-point protection plan, starting with the advice never to let the battery level fall below 30%. The second rule urged users to disconnect devices immediately at 100% charge, warning that “topping up” overnight could lead to heat build-up and short circuits.
Rule three called for strict avoidance of heat, with direct sunlight described as the “silent killer” of lithium-ion batteries. Under rule four, users were told to check their devices regularly for swelling, cracks or leaking fluid, and to dispose of any bloated battery as electronic waste without delay.
Certified products over cheap imports
The fifth and most important rule was to buy only certified products bearing the seal of the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI). According to the agency, cheap no-name powerbanks often bypassed safety tests and posed a significantly higher risk of malfunction and fire.
Officials warned that uncertified devices were more likely to overheat, swell or ignite, especially when exposed to high temperatures or charged incorrectly. Consumers were urged to prioritise tested safety standards over low prices when choosing portable batteries.
Airline restrictions after emergency landing
The warning followed an incident in October 2025, when an exploding powerbank forced an Air China flight to make an emergency landing in Shanghai. In response to such events, Thai airlines had already restricted the use of powerbanks on board.
“We are seeing too many incidents where simple ignorance turns an everyday helper into a life-threatening accident,”
said Teerapat Katchamat, DDPM director. He added that carriage and use rules on aircraft reflected growing concern about the fire risk posed by faulty or overheated devices.
‘Safety must come before convenience’
Teerapat concluded with a clear appeal for greater vigilance by consumers.
“Safety must come before convenience,”
said Teerapat Katchamat, DDPM director.
He noted that a brief moment of attention could save lives and prevent a bag from turning into an inferno. With most people now carrying at least one powerbank, the agency urged the public to check their devices regularly instead of assuming that nothing would happen.