The People's Network for Election (PNET) found clear military interference in the referendum on Aug 19, on the basis of reports of 4,000 volunteers it sent to observe polling at stations in 41 provinces across the country.

PNET vice-president Gen Saiyud Kerpol warned this would affect the military institution and its leaders who had pledged to the people that they would not prolong their power. As a former military officer, he called on the military to look into the issue.

Warin Tiemjaras, PNET secretary, said that the network had organized 3 public debates with a budget of only 50,000 baht prior to the referendum, and they were helpful for the people to make a decision as most people had not read or did not understand the draft charter. According to the PNET findings, the reasons of people who voted in favor of the charter were the opportunity for the charter to be amended later, the expectation that the situation would improve and a general election would be held, and persuasion by the state. And those who rejected the charter did not accept the coup d'etat, considered the content of the charter dictatorial, were put off by the state's ‘vote yes' campaign, did not believe the political propaganda of the politicians, and did not trust state's efforts at mobilization. It was also found that people in the Northeast could not be bought, he said.

PNET also concluded that it was the state which was the loser politically in the referendum, despite its full-out efforts to mobilize the people to cast ‘yes' votes through its three main arms - the army, Interior Ministry and Public Health Ministry.

The 14 million ‘yes' votes largely came from the power base of the Democrat Party, and the 10 million ‘no' votes were influenced by political groups; but neither side truly understood the content of the charter. The result shows divisions among the people, and will not contribute to Thailand's political development, said Warin.

The Election Commission (EC) was still plagued with the same old problems including the preparation of polling facilities and equipment, which would likely affect the upcoming election, he said.

PNET reported that on Aug 25, in many areas that rejected the charter, canvassers began to make 200 baht payments to the people; this was different from previous elections where payments were made before voting. PNET also urged the public to monitor the transfer in September of officials in areas that rejected the charter.