Charter approved

Voter turnout: 56% (26 million ballots cast nation-wide)
Bangkok results: Yes, 65%; No, 34%; Void, 1%
National results: Yes, 57%; No, 41%; Void, 2%

Usual themes: vote-buying allegations; urban middle class-rural poor polarization
Immediate reactions: no surprise; stock market up a few points at opening
Next steps: Royal endorsement and Dec. elections; wait and see

Big picture: A military-backed constitution with questionable motives (e.g., amnesty for past and future actions of coup leaders; weakening of political party system, potentially reverting to one fraught with weak, multi-party coalitions, highly susceptible to coups)

The alternative: ?