In Thailand's rural heartland, supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra say they will focus on winning an election next year, even though they would have to govern on military terms if they did.

Thais handed the junta of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha a convincing victory in Sunday's referendum on a military-backed constitution, rejected by both major political parties because it would restrict future democracy.

Despite a military ban on campaigning ahead of the referendum and the detention of dozens of activists and students who opposed the charter, the opposition appeared to accept the electoral verdict.