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The Government has ordered the Air Force to send a Hercules to Thailand in preparation to fly stranded kiwi tourists out of the country.
The aircraft will be deployed on Tuesday night, and will be available to fly 65 passengers at a time from a military base outside Bangkok to either Singapore or Malaysia.
The move comes after strong criticism from the opposition over the governments' failure to secure enough seats on commercial flights for those trying to get out.
Prime Minister John Key says the Hercules will be dispatched in case it is needed, with stranded kiwis encouraged to continue trying to get out on commercial flights.
More than 200 Kiwis are currently stranded in Thailand, although the exact number is still unknown.
However, a trickle of travellers are finding their way home to New Zealand, glad to be getting out of the increasingly bloody situation.
Those coming home say troubles are spreading to tourist areas now, and that the embassy is not much help to them.
Key says due to the period of time it takes for the Hercules to be in place, it is prudent that it is deployed as soon as possible, as the Air Force's two Boeing 757s are currently being repaired in the US and unable to be used.
Key says the government is also exploring the use of a charter flight into Bangkok if it's viable to operate.
However the situation has seen Labour accusing the government of seat warming instead of taking decisive action to help the kiwi travellers home.
"They've now been waiting, many of them for 5-6 days, with possibly a further week to go, and they're starting to ask the question why are the Australians being evacuated by the Australian government and Qantas," says Labour leader Phill Goff.
Labour has criticised Key over his lack of international experience, calling on the new PM to get in urgent contact with the Australians.
"The automatic thing to do in a situation like this, is for a Prime Minister to Prime Minister conversation between Australia and New Zealand. My advice to John Key is to get on the blower to Kevin and see what help can be given," says Goff.
Key says he doesn't need to make that call right now, because he is now moving to take responsibility for his own citizens' evacuation.
"I think it would be irresponsible for me as Prime Minister not to act today, because every day I don't act is 48 hours waiting time potentially, or us relying on our traditional partners," says Key.
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