The historic result is worth repeating. The referendum saw 59.4 per cent of around 50 million eligible voters (29.7 million) vote on the new charter draft, surpassing the turnout in the 2007 referendum by between 2 and 3 per cent.

This time, 61.3 per cent (16.8 million) voted in support of the draft, while 38.6 per cent (10.5 million) voted against.

When it came to the second question, on whether an all-appointed Senate should be permitted to join elected members of the lower house in selecting a prime minister for its first five-year term – something pro-democracy supporters are strongly against – 58 per cent (15 million) voted in support, with 41.9 per cent (10.9 million) against.

What this means overall is that the people have spoken in favour, via direct democracy, of a new charter whose content does not meet modern standards of liberal democracy, especially in its provision for the first five years.

Whatever the level of knowledge behind the choice voters made, legitimacy for the road ahead has been established.

For pro-democracy supporters, this is a hard fact to accept, but one lesson they can take from this event is that, if they truly believe in democracy, this may be the best point to prove it by accepting the path laid out by the referendum result.

But getting everyone back on track won’t just be about pro-democracy supporters respecting the vote in a spirit of tolerance.

For a long time now, Thailand has dragged its feet on the path to meaningful democracy, with one side clamouring over the fundamental principle of individual rights and liberty while forgetting to respect the rights of others. Responsibility in our own thoughts and acts towards others has been sorely lacking.

Self-centredness has too often worn the mask of democracy to assert private interests without caring about the plight of others. This has resulted in what some social theorists are calling a state of “two countries in one nation”.

Failing to recognise the roots of that widening division, we suffered worsening political violence and then yet another coup.

Although some pro-democracy supporters remain dismayed with the referendum result, this is a time to nurture true and meaningful democracy by showing respect and responsibility towards others.

That also means that if something goes wrong with the choice we have made, the majority must be responsible for the consequences rather than leaving the “other side” to pick up the pieces as in the past, resulting in a plague of indifference that fuels conflict and division.

Social division can be healed with personal responsibility and regard for others’ rights. This post-referendum period presents a crucial test of whether we will be able to progress along the difficult terrain laid out ahead and discover a path that will accommodate all sides in an inclusive and meaningful way.

pypostbox@yahoo.com