2000 was the beginning of the great awakening. Shame it took a pr+ck like Thaksin to do it, but eventually someone would have done it. What we're seeing now is the last desparate attempts of the amartyathipithai - an old leper colony - trying to save what skin it has left before it gets sidelined by the healthier masses who will demand their rights to self-determination. It's just a matter of time and several attempts, but it will come eventually. Always does.