Universal Music Invests in Thai Distributor and Publisher Solution One

Universal Music makes minority investment in Thai distribution and publishing company Solution One

June 4, 2026 By Murray Stassen

Universal Music Group has formed a strategic partnership with Solution One (S1), a music distribution and music publishing services business based in Thailand.

Under the deal, announced on Thursday (June 4) , UMG will become a minority investor in the company.

The partnership will give S1 and its network of content partners access to UMG ‘s global scale and expertise.

S1 was founded in 2001 by CEO Karlcharn Kongkatong and co-founder Apsornsopha Sariman .

Karlcharn Kongkatong will continue to lead S1 and D1 as CEO, alongside the existing management team.

The company works with a network of songwriters, producers, artists, creators, and independent labels across Thailand .

The network’s output ranks among Thailand’s top-performing music releases on YouTube and streaming platforms, including multiple year-end No. 1 music videos, according to UMG .

S1 has built positions across Thai genres including Luk Thung, Song for Life, T-Pop, regional folk-pop, and original soundtracks for Boys Love (BL) and Girls Love (GL) series.

In 2017 , the group established D1 to expand its capabilities in music publishing, royalty administration, rights management, and intellectual property development.

S1 offers partners services spanning distribution, publishing, production, licensing, and artist services.

It also operates in-house production facilities, including Dolby Atmos studios, visual production teams, and audience monetization systems.

> “This partnership reflects our continuous commitment to Thai music and is an exciting next step in our strategy to expand our presence in high-growth markets.” Calvin Wong , Universal

“This partnership reflects our continuous commitment to Thai music and is an exciting next step in our strategy to expand our presence in high-growth markets,” said Calvin Wong , CEO of Universal Music Southeast Asia & Korea and SVP, Asia.

“We are delighted to work closely with Karl , a visionary entrepreneur who has built the largest local distribution in Thailand and together take S1 to the next level.”

“This partnership is an important step for the future of Thai music,” said Karlcharn Kongkatong , CEO of S1 and D1.

“By combining S1 ‘s digital distribution and production expertise, D1 ‘s publishing and rights management capabilities, and UMG ‘s global network, we are creating a stronger platform to bring Thai artists, creators, and intellectual property to audiences worldwide.”

> “This partnership is an important step for the future of Thai music.” Karlcharn Kongkatong , S1 and D1

“We believe long-term value in the music industry is built through strong rights management, sustainable partnerships, and investment in creative talent,” said Apsornsopha Sariman , Co-Founder and General Counsel of S1 and D1.

“This partnership creates new opportunities to further expand the global reach of Thai music and entertainment.”

> “This partnership creates new opportunities to further expand the global reach of Thai music and entertainment.” Apsornsopha Sariman , S1 and D1

Thailand ‘s recorded music market is the largest in Southeast Asia and accounts for 23.8% of the region’s recorded music revenues, UMG said, citing the IFPI ‘s Global Music Report 2026.

Recorded music revenues across Southeast Asia grew 9.3% YoY in 2025 , according to the IFPI .

The partnership follows an initial collaboration between S1 , Virgin Music Group , and Universal Music Publishing Group .

It extends a series of UMG investments in Thailand .

In March , the major acquired a minority stake in What the Duck , a Thailand-based independent label.

That deal built on UMG ‘s acquisition of the recorded music catalog of Thailand’s RS Group , which it completed for around USD $65–70 million in 2024 .

UMG has framed those moves as part of its strategy to expand in “high-potential” growth markets .

On UMG ‘s full-year 2025 earnings call in March, COO Boyd Muir said the company had acquired 18 businesses in such markets over the past three years. Music Business Worldwide

_Originally reported by [Music Business Worldwide](https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/universal-music-makes-minority-investment-in-thai-distribution-and-publishing-company-solution-one/)._