The Prime Minister is in Thailand for the next few days looking to drum up business for New Zealand exporters and universities.
John Key speaking to media in Bangkok. Photo: RNZ
John Key believes it is important that the Government seeks to develop markets other than China.
Thailand already sends more school age children to New Zealand to study than most other countries at about 3000 a year, with the potential also for tertiary study, Mr Key said on Monday.
A delegation of 23 businesspeople and representatives of all New Zealand's universities is accompanying Mr Key, who is to meet with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in Bangkok on Tuesday.
Mr Key said he is not concerned about the unstable political situation facing Ms Yingluck at present.
"There's always been a volatile picture here for quite some time in Thailand so no, I don't think that's of a major concern. We've got a good relationship with the Prime Minister, she was down in New Zealand not so long ago, she brought a big business delegation with her.
"From New Zealand's point of view, obviously whoever the government is, we're going to want to have a long-term relationship with Thailand."
