Thais rock to sound of change

Hundreds of metalheads rock out to the roaring guitars and thundering drums of Thai band Defying Decay, chanting along to their latest politically charged tune.

The group's single The Law 112: Secrecy and Renegades is a raucous, defiant anthem with a taboo-defying message - challenging Thailand's draconian lese-majeste laws.

Criticizing the royal family is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, but calls for royal reform - once completely off-limits - spilled into the open during a series of major youth-led street protests against the junta in 2020.

And Saturday night's energetic Bangkok crowd was the first in Thailand to see a live performance of the song, which had already found an audience on US rock stations in November. The 112 of the title refers to the lese-majeste section of Thailand's criminal code, but the song's lyrics avoid criticizing any person or institution by name.

"I like to have the lyrics open for interpretation and for everyone to have their own meaning," says vocalist and lyricist Poom Euarchukiati , 25.

Poom said his mother was not happy when news of the song's contentious title emerged, "but then I showed her the lyrics and she was fine with it."

There have been 170 people charged under the royal insult law since November 2020, and realists say that whatever the beat any change could be far away.