Siam Sport Syndicate

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Siam Sport Syndicate Public Company Limited
Native name
บริษัท สยามสปอร์ต ซินดิเคท จำกัด (มหาชน)
TypePublic limited company (Unlisted)
IndustryMass media
Founded1973
FounderRavi Lohtong
HeadquartersBangkok, Thailand
Key people
Wiluck Lohtong (Chairman)
ProductsNewspapers, magazines, broadcasting, digital media
RevenueDecrease 1.02 billion baht (2019)[1]
Decrease −267.51 million baht (2019)[1]
Total assetsDecrease 1.31 billion baht (2019)[1]
Websitewww.siamsport.co.th

Siam Sport Syndicate Public Company Limited (Thai: บริษัท สยามสปอร์ต ซินดิเคท จำกัด (มหาชน)) is a Thai mass media company specialising in sports and entertainment content. Founded in 1973 by Ravi Lohtong, the company has been one of the major sports media organisations in Thailand, operating across print, broadcast, and digital platforms.[2]

History

The company originated as a publishing business producing sports magazines before expanding into printing and daily newspaper publishing.[3] It was restructured as Siam Sport Syndicate Company Limited in 1990 and subsequently listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand in 1995.[3]

Over time, the company diversified into television production, radio broadcasting, and digital media, becoming a multi-platform sports media group in Thailand.[2]

The company traded on the Stock Exchange of Thailand under the ticker symbol SPORT. In 2019, Siam Sport announced that its board had approved calling a shareholders' meeting to consider delisting the company's securities from the exchange.[4] In February 2020, Siam Sport Syndicate voluntarily delisted from the exchange, ending its 25-year status as a listed company.[5]

Following the delisting, and amid industry-wide shifts towards online media, the company ceased the print publication of its flagship newspaper, Siam Sport Daily, in August 2023, fully transitioning its focus to digital platforms.[6]

Operations

Siam Sport operates across multiple sectors of the media industry, including:

The company has historically been a key player in sports broadcasting rights within Thailand. Most notably, it previously held the domestic broadcasting rights for major international football competitions, including the English Premier League.[2]

Football involvement

Siam Sport has been heavily associated with Thai professional football. Founder Ravi Lohtong and other executives linked to the company have historically maintained close ties and management involvement with Muangthong United.[2] In 2007, Siam Sport founder Ravi Lohtong took ownership of the club, then known as Muangthong Nongjok United and competing in the country's third tier. Under the management of Siam Sport executives, the club achieved three consecutive championships, rapidly ascending from Division 2 to win the Thai Premier League title in 2009.[7]

During its association with Siam Sport's leadership, Muangthong United developed into one of the most successful clubs in Thailand. The club won multiple top-flight league titles, including an undefeated league campaign in 2012, and advanced to the knockout stages of the AFC Champions League in 2017.[7]

In September 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Thailand imposed a civil sanction on Ravi Lohtong, Siam Sport's founder and then director and executive, for using inside information to buy SPORT shares before the company disclosed its third-quarter 2015 financial statements. Ravi agreed to pay a civil penalty of 500,000 baht and was banned from serving as a director or executive of any issuing or listed company for one year.[8]

Siam Sport was also involved in a long-running legal dispute with the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) over commercial and broadcasting rights. The dispute arose after the FAT, under president Somyot Poompanmoung, terminated a rights-management agreement that had appointed Siam Sport to manage the association's commercial rights from 2013 to 2022.[9] In 2021, the Specialized Appeal Court ordered the FAT to pay Siam Sport 450 million baht in damages.[10] In March 2025, the Supreme Court amended the award to 360 million baht plus interest.[11] Following negotiations, reports in 2026 stated that the FAT, then led by Nualphan Lamsam, would assume responsibility for 240 million baht owed by Siam Sport to TrueVisions, reducing the amount payable directly to Siam Sport to 120 million baht; the FAT reported that the final 15 million-baht instalment was due in March 2026.[12][13]

Publications

Siam Sport has produced several highly influential sports publications in Thailand, including:

  • Siam Sport Daily (ceased print in 2023)
  • Star Soccer
  • Sport Pool
  • Siam Dara

See also

References

  1. "รายงานประจำปี 2562" [2019 Annual Report] (PDF). Securities and Exchange Commission, Thailand (in Thai). Siam Sport Syndicate Public Company Limited. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
  2. "Siam Sport to broadcast EPL games". Bangkok Post. 17 August 2017. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
  3. "เกี่ยวกับบริษัท" [About the company] (in Thai). Retrieved 25 April 2026.
  4. "'สยามสปอร์ต' เล็งเพิกถอนจากตลาดหุ้น หลังผู้ถือหุ้นใหญ่ยื่นทำเทนเดอร์ฯที่ราคา 0.17 บ./หุ้น" [Siam Sport plans to delist from the stock market after major shareholders launch tender offer at 0.17 baht per share]. Krungthep Turakij (in Thai). 9 September 2019. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  5. "SPORT ยื่นขอถอนออกจากตลาดหุ้น ซื้อขายวันสุดท้าย 27 ก.พ.นี้" [SPORT files to delist from the stock exchange, last trading day on 27 Feb]. MGR Online (in Thai). 21 February 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
  6. "Siamsport Daily stops printing". Bangkok Post. 30 August 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
  7. "Kirin History". Muangthong United. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
  8. "SEC imposes a civil sanction on a SPORT executive for insider trading". Securities and Exchange Commission, Thailand. 15 September 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  9. Chantawichchaprapha, Somsak (7 March 2025). "สมาคมฟุตบอลฯ vs. สยามกีฬา ตั้งแต่จุดเริ่มต้นจนถึงจุดจบ" [The Football Association vs. Siam Sport, from beginning to end]. The Standard (in Thai). Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  10. "FAT ordered to pay Siam Sport B450m". Bangkok Post. 16 July 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
  11. "FA Thailand to sue former executives over Bt360 million loss". Thai PBS World. 13 March 2025. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  12. "Madam Pang Nears Clearing Associations Debt, Pays Siam Sport 120 Million Within a Year". Thairath English. 13 February 2026. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  13. "มาดามแป้ง ประกาศจ่ายหนี้ก้อนสุดท้ายให้สยามสปอร์ตเดือนนี้ครบ 120 ล้านบาท" [Madam Pang announces final payment to Siam Sport, completing 120 million baht this month]. Khaosod (in Thai). 2 March 2026. Retrieved 18 May 2026.