Thai metal band Defying Decay breaks taboos to challenge royal insult law
- Defying Decay’s single, The Law 112: Secrecy and Renegades, is a raucous, defiant anthem challenging Thailand’s draconian lese-majesty laws
- With a limited market for their brand of alternative metal in Thailand, the seven-member band mainly focuses on touring overseas
Hundreds of headbanging metalheads rock out to the roaring guitars and thundering drums of Thai band Defying Decay, chanting along to their latest politically-charged tune.
Criticising the royal family is punishable by up to 15 years in jail, but calls for royal reform – once completely off-limits – spilled into the open during a series of major youth-led street protests against the government in 2020.
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 majesty section of Thailand’s criminal code, but the song’s lyrics avoid criticising any person or institution by name.
“I like to have the lyrics open for interpretation and for everyone to have their own meaning … when I write my songs,” said vocalist and lyricist Poom Euarchukiati.
A line in the song about corruption could also find support from royalists or the police, not just anti-government protesters, said the 25-year-old frontman.