“Whether it passed or not, the junta would have won,” he said.
Ultimately, the rejection of the constitution appeared to be a victory for the political movement led by members of the Thai elite whose debilitating protests against the elected government last year led to the military coup.
The leaders of the group, known as the People’s Democratic Reform Committee, or P.D.R.C., argue that Thailand is not ready for electoral democracy until unspecified reforms are carried out. They blocked elections last year.