The Government was this morning monitoring developments in Bangkok as an air force Hercules stood by in neighbouring Malaysia ready to help stranded travellers.
A spokesman for Prime Minister John Key told NZPA the transport aircraft would remain "at the ready" in Kaula Lumpur, although Bangkok's international airport has started functioning after an eight-day occupation by anti-government protesters.
When the Hercules C130 was ordered to leave on Tuesday an estimated 250 New Zealanders were trying to get out of Thailand.
Some are believed to have been able to leave Bangkok on domestic flights, heading for other airports in the hope of getting a ticket home.
Mr Key decided to send the Hercules, which can carry 65 passengers, because there were no assurances New Zealanders stranded at the international airport would be able to get out quickly if the security situation deteriorated.
It will stay where it is until further notice so it can be used to clear people out if commercial flights are inadequate.
Thailand is starting to return to normal after a court decision disbanded the government for vote fraud, but the country's main airport is still struggling.
Thousands of travellers were caught by the closure last Tuesday and foreign governments have been trying to organise charter flights to get them out.
If the Hercules is used it will fly to U-Tapao, a military airbase about 150km east of Bangkok.
New Zealanders in Bangkok would be able to get to U-Tapao and be taken to Kaula Lumpur, where they could catch flights home.
