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| GMM Music and Ohm Cocktail Settle GeneLab Dispute as Thai Music Row Ends with New Shared Deal. (Credits: Thairath) |
Thailand’s music industry has finally got its plot twist. GMM Music and Ohm Cocktail have confirmed a new agreement that formally ends weeks of tension surrounding management changes at GeneLab, closing one of the most talked-about label disputes in recent Thai entertainment memory.
In a joint statement, both sides said the matter had been resolved peacefully, with contracts staying intact and a fresh co-management model now in place.
In short: nobody is storming out, nobody is tearing paperwork in half, and the bands can get back to making hits instead of headlines.
The row first gained attention when Ohm Cocktail, whose full name is Pondpol Prasarnrajkit, announced he would step away from executive duties at GeneLab and affiliated label 19.
That sparked concern across Thailand’s rock and indie scene, with artists and fans openly questioning what would happen next to some of the country’s biggest acts.
Now, the compromise is clear. Artists remain under their existing agreements with GMM Music, but Ohm’s new company, Half Nine, has been approved to help oversee day-to-day artist management until those contracts expire. It is effectively a “we’re still together, but seeing other managers professionally” arrangement.
That means major names including Taitosmith, Three Man Down, Tilly Birds, alongside several newer acts, will continue under the same contracts while operating within the new shared structure. For an industry that often thrives on chaos, this was surprisingly adult behaviour.
Music rights, meanwhile, remain fully under GMM Music. The company will continue handling royalties from streaming platforms such as YouTube and Spotify, as well as public performance income from venues, restaurants and live use.
Artists will still receive revenue shares according to existing terms and can continue performing their own songs live as normal. So yes, the music stays where it is, and nobody has to pretend their biggest songs never existed.
Commercial work, brand partnerships and performance bookings will now be handled cooperatively by both camps, with artist benefit said to be the priority. In entertainment language, that usually means everyone promises harmony until the next scheduling argument.
Concert plans were also a major part of the deal. Artists under the arrangement will prioritise appearing at GMM Music festivals and events, including large-scale shows.
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| GMM Music and Ohm Cocktail End GeneLab Dispute With New Artist Management Deal |
Even more notably, Three Man Down, Taitosmith, and Tilly Birds have reportedly agreed to hold at least one major concert with GMM during the remaining contract period. For fans, that is the real headline.
Ohm said leaving GeneLab was not an easy decision and praised GMM Music for approaching discussions openly.
He added that he would continue supporting his former team while maintaining a positive relationship with the company going forward. A diplomatic statement, polished enough to deserve its own background piano track.
The artists themselves also responded in a notably calm tone. Three Man Down confirmed they would move management under Half Nine while keeping contracts in place. They also backed GMM Music’s role in organising their next large-scale stadium concert.
Tilly Birds described the transition as another step in the band’s growth, saying their goals had not changed but their direction was now clearer. Taitosmith also stressed the importance of collaboration in future success.
Online reaction has been mixed, lively and very Thai-internet. Some fans praised both sides for finding a mature solution rather than dragging the dispute further. Others said the new model looked sensible, especially for artists who wanted continuity without legal drama.
A few sceptics joked that “shared management” sounds brilliant until two people try booking the same weekend. Others simply celebrated that their favourite bands can continue releasing music without corporate soap opera interruptions.
Industry watchers say the agreement could become a blueprint for future label disputes in Southeast Asia, where artists increasingly want more control while companies still protect long-term investments. In that sense, this is bigger than one label story. It reflects how the region’s music business is changing fast.
For now, though, fans mostly care about one thing: new songs, proper concerts and less boardroom suspense. Was this a smart compromise or just a temporary peace treaty with guitars attached? Let us know what you think, because Thai music fans always have opinions ready.