Abhisit says the Democrat Party works as a team, which is its strength.

Despite criticising Thai Rak Thai for its heavily marketed politics, dominant leadership and populist policies, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva's press conference on Wednesday to launch its "People's Agenda" looked very similar to a marketing event.

The stairs of the Seni Pramoj building were decorated with stickers carrying messages ridiculing Thai Rak Thai's policy platform. A meeting room on the third floor looked totally different from usual. Lines of long tables that used to occupy most of the room, like in classrooms were replaced by clusters of small, modern round tables for three reporters. Television monitors were set in corners, while there was a large screen at the front of the room. On the walls were charts for Abhisit to refer to.

A large space in front of the room was left for Abhisit, who used a wireless microphone and stood while presenting the party's policies.

The press conference was part of the larger campaign to re-introduce Abhisit and the Democrats to the public.

They have been forced to do so because a survey by the party showed that despite being in the Thai political arena for more than six decades, the role it has played over the past five years has been largely obliterated by the Thai Rak Thai machine. The Democrats' defeats in the last two elections have taught it a lesson: if it wants to win the next poll, they can no longer use the same old working style.

The party's television ads promoting Abhisit and its policies launched late last month give a new look to Thailand's oldest political party. It scraps the image of an ancient bureaucratic style, and shows its readiness. The Democrats are the first party to launch television ads for the coming election.

They are the talk of the town - but have also been the target of some harsh criticism. Many observers say the TV ads simply use the same marketing strategies, and promoted populist policies, just like Thai Rak Thai did before.

At the conference, standing behind Abhisit, was his economic team including Trairong Suwankiri, Korn Chatikavanij, Kiat Sittheeamorn, Tirdpong Jayananda, Phaithoon Kaeothong and Photipong Lamsam.

But for almost all of the presentation and the question and answer session, Abhisit was the only speaker.

The party has heavily criticised Thai Rak Thai for presenting Thaksin's working style as a one-man-show. It said the Democrats' strength was its teamwork. So it was perhaps not surprising that a question was shot to Abhisit, where was the Democrats' teamwork?

Abhisit responded, saying they were still working as a team - the six behind him were just some of those behind well-researched and well-planned policies.

However, he didn't reveal the details of the party's policies on the day.

It is uncertain yet whether the party's delay in unveiling its policies is for marketing effect. But time and implementation - if they get the chance - might be the only answer to whether they are populist. People who have faith in the party are hoping the Democrats are just using marketing strategies, but telling the truth at the same time.

The party has got a new look, but unless they speak the truth and create new Thai politics, no strategies or tactics can help them get votes and become the government again. They may have to suffer another lesson in losing, both the time and money they have spent on marketing, and being damned by critics, if they are still ignored by voters.

Kornchanok Raksaseri