The “happy” camp were pleased to vote for the draft constitution – partly based on the conviction that the junta’s road map will lead the country to a more stable future. Some voted with the belief that the new charter will lead to a new election, the first since 2011, to bring the country back in line with the international community for whom democratic rule counts.

For the “unhappy” camp, the reasons varied. Some do not support the junta’s course and many believe the charter will not pave the way for a rosy tomorrow. It is also undeniable that some voted “No” to support their favourite politicians who rejected the draft, ranging from Democrat leaderAbhisit Vejjajiva to Pheu Thai’s Yingluck Shinawatra. And led by the forceful fight from students belonging to the New Democracy Movement and activists, many voters were concerned with restrictions on democratic rights and potential limitations on public services as a result of the charter.

It is also illuminating that one “Yes” supporter admitted that she didn’t know the consequences of the additional question in the referendum – which sought support for the junta’s plan to have appointed senators involved in picking the next prime minister.

She also didn’t know that the new constitution could make it possible for the state to provide free education only until the junior high school level and to provide basic health services only to the very poor, not everyone as is currently the case. She added that she didn’t know that the charter empowers the government to approve big projects before the public-hearing process is complete and that environmental and social concerns will be addressed, but no longer as priorities.

She said she found all these details only after casting her ballot. “I did something wrong,” she exclaimed.

And she was not the only one. Many went to polling stations without knowing the content of the charter, with their minds clouded by preachers saying the charter would end a state of chaos, and many intimidated into staying silent about their opinions ahead of the vote.

Many other “Yes” voters did understand the content of the charter draft, however. One voter said only by approving the charter draft could the country have a clear road map for the future. “Disapproval might have thrown the country back into turmoil headed for an unforeseeable future,” she said.

Days before the referendum, rights groups slammed the junta for intimidation with an analyst of the Economist Intelligence Unit warned the “No” camp could win due to the high degree of intimidation. Rather than stir curiosity, however, 17 million felt this was the time to exercise their “Yes” votes.

A poll by King Prajadhipok’s Institute showed that only 0.9 per cent of Bangkok voters studied every section of the charter, compared to national average of 3.4 per cent. The ratio in the Northeast was 4.2 per cent. The percentage of people voting “No” in the Northeast was at 51.42 while 69 per cent of Bangkok’s voters approved the draft.

This creates an irony. People in the North and the Northeast have previously urged everyone to respect their votes for their favourite political party, but no one listened. Now, the “Yes” camp has urged everyone to respect their votes in the referendum, with overwhelming support from the military which now enjoys increased legitimacy in charting the country’s future.

People in the “Yes” camp disregard the fact that Thailand is now the only country in Southeast Asia that is ruled by the military – a situation that could continue for at least a decade. They did not heed warnings from Myanmar media that if the charter were endorsed, Thailand would fall into the same situation that Myanmar was in before.

But everyone must live with hope. We observed the UK referendum in June, which also produced both happiness and unhappiness. But after the vote, unhappy people did not lose hope. They tried to seek a halt to “Brexit”, submitting a petition to parliament to put a brake on the process. Realising the divisions, UK politicians handling the Brexit have also been extra careful in their actions. They know that they are doing a job that defines the entire nation’s future and they are accountable to all Britons, not just to Brexit supporters.

I sincerely hope that the junta exercises this sense of accountability and its supporters realise their true duty to the nation. Thailand cannot be further divided or this vote will be just another failure in Thai history. Everyone born here is equally entitled to the country’s resources and this should not be left to the mercy of those in power.

No matter how people voted, the junta should respect human rights and liberty in expression. The public should be given space to express their different views without any kind of intimidation.