During the 27 years from the restoration of the parliament in 1978 to the election of 2005, the parliamentary system became established as never before. Elected politicians reclaimed space from military tutelage – gradually at first, then decisively in 1992. Successive constitutional reforms enlarged the role of elections. Popular participation increased from a 44 per cent turnout at the 1979 poll to 73 per cent in 2005. Policy platforms became a significant factor in elections from 2001, and the party system was streamlined into an approximation of a two-party system. The cabinet and parliament gradually passed more legislation responsive to popular demands, including social welfare measures, reforms of the bureaucracy, expansion of education, supports for agriculture, and provisions to combat poverty. As the parliamentary regime strengthened, there was more space for media, civil society, and public debate. Around the millennium, Thailand was vaunted as the most open society in Southeast Asia.