The Pheu Thai Party, the key opponent of the draft constitution, acknowledged defeat in the referendum on Sunday but claimed the draft sailed through because people want an election.
Speaking at a press briefing at the party's headquarters, acting Pheu Thai leader Pol Lt Gen Viroj Pao-in said the result of the referendum was something the party had expected, and there were several reasons for the charter's successful passage. He believed one of them was that most people want to see it pass because they want a general election to be held quickly.
Acting Pheu Thai secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai said the party thanked all voters who had exercised their right. He said the government did not allow all sides to fully express their opinions about the draft and this partially resulted in voters not being well informed about the pros and cons of the draft. It was also less democratic than the 2007 charter that had been torn up by the junta.
Mr Phumthai said the Pheu Thai Party would continue to fight for democracy to be fully restored.
Noppadon Pattama, a former foreign minister and a leading Pheu Thai figure, called on the National Council for Peace and Order to stop being sceptical about politicians and ease regulations on political assembly so that they can meet to discuss important national issues.
Jatuporn Prompan, leader of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, another key opponent of the draft charter, said he knew it would be difficult for the charter opponents to win the referendum.
He acknowledged the result, saying, “I don’t want democracy lovers to feel discouraged or feel they lost. You did not lose because you were in a war that you had no right to win,” Mr Jatuporn said.
UDD secretary-general Nattawut Saikuar warned the new constitution, once being promulgated, would lead to major political conflict in the future. But he said he respected the decision of the majority.
In a Facebook message, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, who last month announced to vote "no" in the referendum, said he respected the people’s decision and called on all sides to accept the results.
“The NCPO has a duty to steer Thailand toward the planned roadmap, which means to push ahead with the general election in 2017,” Mr Abhisit wrote.
He said there were many problems that needed to be resolved such as the economy, poverty and corruption, as well as reform efforts.
He said the Democrats would try to help solve these problems once it is allowed to proceed with political activities by the NCPO.
The unofficial result from the Election Commission (EC) with 94% of the votes counted showed 15.56 million people backed the draft as opposed to 9.78 million who were against it. The vote counting was frozen for Sunday and will resume on Monday morning.