"Society is clearly divided into two opposing camps, as all options have been played out to an inconclusive outcome," said Thammasat University lecturer Sombat Chantarawong.

Sombat said he saw force as the only way to toss out stubborn government leaders who clung to power, although he would not encourage it because it would be a bad start for political reform.

"Incumbent leaders have no shame and will do anything to stay in power," he said.

Should the public be mobilised to drive out the caretaker government and initiate a reform process similar to that in 1997, politicians would probably encourage their constituents to rally as shield for them, he said. "After five years of the Thaksin Shinwatra government, the people have been sedated by populist policies and become dependent on the dominant Thai Rak Thai Party," he said.

Another panellist, Palang Paendin Thai Party leader Likhit Dhiravegin, said Thai political culture lacked a built-in immunity to vested interests, vote-buying and corruption.

"Regardless of how well written the Constitution is, society will still plunge into political crisis because a vast majority of people see ethics as a joke and focus on materialism instead," he said.

He suggested a revamp of the Senate in order to prevent it from falling under the influence of the government. Elected senators should be replaced by appointed ones chosen from each province and a pool of professional groups, he said.

He also called for the formation of a political court to rule on grievances relating to the bullying of MPs by political parties.