New Zealanders STILL trapped in Thailand

John Key will decide within the next 48 hours whether to send commercial charter flights, or use a military aircraft currently headed to a base in the region, to get stranded New Zealanders out of Thailand: He said:

"I think it would be irresponsible of me, as prime minister not to act today, I think I've got to show some leadership."

I think that the New Zelanders holed up in Tailand will be relieved to hear that.

The government is considering using Hercules to ferry 65 people at a time to either Singapore or Malaysia but these aircraft are noisy and uncomfortable. They'd prefer to use the Air Force's Boeing 757 passenger aircraft, but the two they have are both out of action, something that Key has pledged to address.

According to TVNZ
"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."

Meanwhile Australia arranged transport last night to get some of it citizens out of Bangkok to Phuket where an emergency Qantas flight bound for Singapore was waiting.

Qantas said yesterday it would run a second relief flight between Phuket and Singapore early today.

A large group of Filipinos arrived home on Monday after their government laid on a special flight to Manila and on Sunday 1,400 Chinese tourists were able to leave when Chinese aviation authorities sent planes to Thailand to bring them home.

Today dozens of Canadian tourists will leave as part of a deal worked out by their embassy's officials.

South Korea dispatched planes as long ago as last Thursday to bring its nationals home, on commercial flights that landed at its military airports

The big question for NZ'ers trapped in Thailand is: would it be quicker to apply for Australian citizenship or wait for their own government to come to their aid?

A Reader's Comment to the NZ Herald :

katrina d (Papakura)
"Why is the NZ government always the last to send in help when it comes to our own citizens,It doesnt matter that we have a new Prime Minister, his reaction is the same as Helan Clarks pertaining to the Bali bombing.
The wait and see attitude!Most countries , including Australia moved on the 1st call of help from thier stranded civilians.
What are we waiting for, get planes in, get our people out."

Good to know that you can always rely on the NZ government in a crisis!

See also Govt. too slow on evacuation