Tourist-related shares mostly gained on Friday on upbeat sentiment in the tourism sector amid the lifting of pre-travel COVID-19 tests for inbound arrivals.
Stocks in the hotel, hospital, and transportation sectors were among the top gainers in Friday trading, as Thailand is expected to further ease COVID-19 restrictions, including removing the mandatory RT-PCR test for tourists upon arrival, as well as canceling the Thailand Pass scheme and declaring COVID-19 an endemic from June onwards.
At 15.40 hrs. local time in Thailand, the share price of Asia Aviation Plc. (SET: AAV) rose THB0.12/share or 4.69% to THB2.68/share, with a trading value of THB107 million.
The share price of Bangkok Airways Plc. (SET: BA) rose THB0.70/share or 6.80% to THB11.00/share, with a trading value of THB154 million.
The share price of S Hotels and Resorts Plc. (SET: SHR) rose THB0.18/share or 5.03% to THB3.76/share, with a trading value of THB89 million.
The share price of the Erawan Group Plc. (SET: ERW) rose THB0.12/share or 3.64% to THB3.42/share, with a trading value of THB109 million.
The share price of Central Plaza Hotel Plc. (SET: CENTEL) rose THB1.00/share or 2.55% to THB40.25/share, with a trading value of THB128 million.
The share price of Minor International Plc. (SET: MINT) rose THB0.75/share or 2.21% to THB34.75/share, with a trading value of THB717 million.
The share price of Thonburi Healthcare Group Plc. (SET: THG) rose THB4.50/share or 4.97% to THB95.00/share, with a trading value of THB907 million.
The share price of Chularat Hospital Plc. (SET: CHG) rose THB0.10/share or 2.54% to THB4.04/share, with a trading value of THB477 million.
The share price of Bangkok Chain Hospital Plc. (SET: BCH) rose THB0.50/share or 2.34% to THB21.90/share, with a trading value of THB542 million.
Asia Plus Securities stated that with the Public Health Ministry planning to further ease COVID-19 control measures and the CCSA meeting today (8 April) discussing the removal of the required RT-PCR test for tourists, having a good sentiment on city reopening plays.
Economic activities in Thailand are recovering. At end-March, Google Mobility Trend showed that all economic activities (outside home, grocery, pharmacy, work, outdoor) gradually rebounded from 4Q21 and increased 20% from after Songkran 2021.
Hence, country reopening has positive sentiment on food and tourism stocks (MINT, ERW, M), transportation plays (AOT, BTS, BEM), and tourist destination plays (CPN, CRC, MAJOR).
