More than 200 Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) staff dressed in black on Wednesday to protest against alleged political meddling in the promotion of the agency's high-ranking officials.
The TAT employee's union also filed a protest letter against the latest round of C-9 and C-10 staff promotions to TAT governor Suraphon Svetasreni and the Tourism and Sports Ministry. The promotions will take effect on Oct 1.
The protesting staff say more than half of those who would be promoted to C-9 and C-10 levels were not suitable and were given the jobs only as a reward for their political allegiances.
The employee's union said this was the biggest shakeup of TAT management in the agency's 25-year history, with 25 staff being handed new positions.
TAT has a total staff of around 900.
On Wednesday, some staff members agreed to wear black every day this week and on Fridays in each subsequent week until Mr Suraphon clarifies his criteria for awarding promotions.
"The TAT governor should explain [the reason for these promotions] to us because it will affect the entire organisation and staff morale," TAT union president Nattapong Sukkree said.
A source from the union was confident the promotions were being used as a tool for political gain.
"[As a result] the TAT will be weak in the long term and this will eventually affect the tourism revenue target of 2 trillion baht," the source said.
Mr Suraphon received the protest letter from the union and insisted the promotions were transparent and based on personal ability.