Opposition parties criticised the ads as defamatory and a distortion of the truth. They plan to discuss them today.

Thai Rak Thai deputy party leader Bhokin Bhalakula said: "Print media outlets have paid scant attention to news on the party, hence it was deemed necessary to place adverts to balance public views."

He called on print media professionals to report fairly, noting that newspapers gave a lot of space to the anti-Thaksin movement.

He added that the opposition should not have boycotted the election. The opposition said the ruling party played with words when it had, in fact, rejected a new round of political reform via constitutional amendments.

"Thai Rak Thai had no ploy relating to its counter-offer on the ratification of constitutional amendments," Bhokin said.

The party had to come up with its counter-offer because the Democrats proposed that the charter drafting panel be appointed by His Majesty the King, but precedents show that the monarch will not allow the Privy Council to get involved, he said. The counter-offer suggested the panel should include professionals who are neutral.

Bhokin said the ruling party would continue to place advertisements a few times per week, urging relevant parties to respect the electoral process rather than "trying to sabotage it".

Opposition parties will discuss the advertisements today, Jurin Laksanawisit, chairman of the three main parties, said yesterday.

He said: "The detail of the advertising distorted the truth. Moreover, they defamed the Democrat, Chat Thai and Mahachon parties."

The Nation