Thai band Faiyen fears they will be killed for criticising junta and monarchy if they go home

They remain in hiding in Laos, which neighbours Thailand and became a haven for some of the most outspoken anti-junta activists after the 2014 coup

Corpses of activists were found in December in the Mekong river which bisects the countries, their stomachs stuffed with concrete

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Faiyen band members, from left, Romchalee “Yammy” Sombulrattanakul, Worravut “Tito” Thueakchaiyaphum and Nithiwat “Jom” Wannasiri. Photo: AFP

Published: 12:48pm, 25 Jul 2019Updated: 1:25pm, 25 Jul 2019

Taking turns to keep watch at their hideout in Laos, the four members of the self-exiled Thai activist folk band Faiyen believe they are on a hit list like eight fellow dissidents who have already disappeared.

Laos, which neighbours Thailand, became a haven for some of the most outspoken Thai anti-junta activists after a 2014 coup.

All were vituperative in their condemnation of the Thai junta which last month cemented its long hold on power as its chief was elected prime minister by a pro-army bloc in parliament.

Others have been accused of criticising the Thai monarchy, an unassailable institution protected by one of the world’s toughest royal defamation laws.

“There’s not a single night that we can sleep. A dog’s howl gives us the chills,” said lead singer Romchalee Sombulrattanakul – known as Yammy – from an undisclosed location in Laos.

Faiyen, “cold fire” in Thai, are well known in pro-democracy circles for satirical lyrics taking a stab at Thailand’s politicos and the palace, and are among more than 80 dissidents to flee the kingdom since the last coup.

Faiyen members have every reason to be fearful for their lives

Sunai Phasuk, Human Rights Watch

The quartet left Thailand to avoid a summons by the junta and could face the dreaded lèse-majesté law if they return.