It is not a question of whether the border will be reopen, because they will need to be open sooner or later. It is just a matter of time. If not June, then July. But the border will need to be reopen and international tourists will be allow to enter and exit Thailand. Else the local Thai will be rioting, because at least 20% of Thai GPD depend on international tourism… same with Cambodia, international tourist make up 30% of GDP
On the good news side, Vietnam have now eased lock down.
However, for both Aristo and Star Vegas. There is no point in reopening the casino until the border open again.
Next rally point for Donaco will be, when mega bank confirm the deal between Somboon and Donaco, as well as modifying the covenant… This should happen before the 30 June deadline.
Guesstimate, would be that the borders will reopen again either in June or July. This is another rally point for Donaco.
Quarterly report is due this Thursday 30 April. This should provide an indication of how Star Vegas will likely to perform over the next few months after reopening.
Mid January was the start of the Pandemic and March was the height of the Pandemic for Thailand with the death of a Thai national on 1/03/2020. and Thailand reporting 100 of cases a day in March.
Different between March and Post Lockdown:
- Share market was in free fall during march, but have now regain some of the loss
- Frantic fight for protective gear and hand sanitizer in march. Now these items are freely available
- Not much is known about how the virus infect in March. Now there is some understanding
- Not much in ways of treatment for Covid in March, now there’s a couple of potential medication and method of treatment.
- Fear of the unknown. In March the whole world just enter the Covid19 tunnel. Now we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel
Start Vegas was getting 2430 players a day during March, at the height of the Pandemic. Looking forward, post Lockdown and border reopen. They should at least get the same number of patrons, if not more, as the fears have now subside.
Revenue for Star Vegas during March was around $2.5 mn AUD, Post Covid. If border reopen in June and revenue maintain similar to March. Then we shall might see Donaco breaking even for this financial year. Lets see what the Q1 numbers show.
Oh, and the real reason for the extend state of emergency in Thailand.. some to do with the virus, but also political and marketing as well.. Some of the US states have more infection and death than Thailand.. Thai have less than 3000 infection and around 50 death. Very miniscule compare to world wide stats… But because their economy depend on tourism.. They need to demonstrate that they are clear and clear of virus, a safe place to visit.. so they can attract international visitors. This will be a major selling point for Thai Tourism in the next couple of months.
