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Published on August 21, 2007

Campaign for Popular Democracy (CPD) secretary-general Suriyasai Katasila said strong opposition to the charter in Thai Rak Thai's strongholds in the North and Northeast would tempt Thaksin to inject huge funds into the election.

"With the result, Thaksin has the confidence to come back to power. Whether the country's politics will be turbulent or not depends on him,'' Suriyasai said.

The high number of "no" votes showed incompetence on the part of the government and Council for National Security, which he said were unable to help the public understand the new constitution.

"Many voters believed that if they accepted the constitution draft, they would not be able to access populist policies," he said.

Somsak Kosaisuk, a political activist, said the referendum result should be the first step in political reform that every party must undertake in its election campaign.

Pipop Thongchai, an adviser to the CPD, said the result showed the Thai people opposed both the "old power" group and the military. He called on both sides to compromise and push for reform in the justice system.