"The law 112: secrecy and renegades," which was one of the most played rock songs on US radio last November, is a provocative anthem against Thailand's political taboos.

On Saturday night, the band performed it for the first time on Thai soil.

Their style of alternative music being still marginal in Thailand, the seven members of the group perform mainly abroad.

The number 112 refers to the section of the penal code which punishes up to 15 years in prison for any criticism of the king or his family.

Cautious, Defying Decay avoids in his lyrics to attack a person or an institution by name.

"I like that the lyrics are open to interpretation and that each one has its own meaning... when I write my songs," singer and lyricist Poom Euarchukiati told AFP.

The singer and lyricist of the metal group Defying Decay, Poom "Jay" Euarchukiati, on stage on February 12, 2022 in Bangkok Jack TAYLOR AFP

If the title clearly refers to this law, the lyrics of the song actually address other themes, critical but more consensual, such as corruption.

Generational divide

The pro-democracy protests that rocked Bangkok in 2020 highlighted a generational divide in Thailand between young people who yearn for change and older, more conservative ones.

Defying Decay aren't the first Thai band to use their music to challenge power.

Three years ago, a very popular hip-hop group, Rap Against Dictatorship, made headlines in the country with a title chronicling a series of corruption cases.

Spectators at the concert of Thai metal band Defying Devcay, on February 12, 2022 in Bangkok Jack TAYLOR AFP

The video clip hints at a dark page in Thailand, when dozens of students were massacred or hanged in 1976 after a protest.

At its height, in the second half of 2020, the protest movement demanding royal reform and the resignation of the prime minister drew tens of thousands to the streets of Bangkok.

But the movement faltered as coronavirus restrictions prevented rallies and its main leaders were arrested.

Since November 2020, 170 people have been charged under the Royal Insults Act, according to the organization Thai Lawyers for Human Rights.

Activist Parit Chiwarak, in his twenties and known by the nickname "Penguin", faces 23 charges and has been in pre-trial detention since last August.

T-shirts by Thai metal band Defying Decay are sold during their concert in Bangkok, February 12, 2022 Jack TAYLOR AFP

At a UN human rights meeting last year, the Thai government official defended the lèse-majesté legislation, saying it 'reflects Thailand's culture and history , where the monarchy is one of the main pillars of the nation".

Ensuring fair trials

The law needs to be "updated" to be compatible with the modern world and avoid "abuse", Mr Poom said.

A "clear standard" of wrongdoing under lèse-majesté law should also be established to ensure fair trials, Defying Decay lead guitarist Chitipat Wanyasurakul told AFP.

But the change could take time.

Thai heavy metal band Defying Decay pose before their concert in Bangkok on February 12, 2022 Jack TAYLOR AFP

"People who listen to (rebellious) music are mostly teenagers and young workers. Society is not just made up of this group of people," Chawanut Rattanaphun, 29, a spectator at the concert, told AFP. .

© 2022 AFP