buffcoat

As far as I can see this measure does not change the situation in regard to the UK system being different to the Thai system for permanent settlement.

The presumption for marriage  immigrants is that they will make a permanent home in the UK and achieve ILR and then citizenship (probably). If so the immigrant is expected to learn English to enable integration.
The fact that a very basic level will be required before entry should not be a barrier to many and frankly if you wish the 'privilege' of living permanently in the UK you should demonstrate the will and commitment to do so.
I fail to see how this is discrimination in any legally objectionable sense since the requirement applies equally to any racial group, the requirement is based on the immigrants existing citizenship.

The vast majority of foreigners in Thailand do not have a permanent right of abode and are therefore not required to have Thai language skills. It is only those few who obtain Thai citizenship who must demonstrate a command of Thai.

If the Thai authorities do ever introduce a permanent visa for foreigners without citizenship that cannot be revoked by a change in status on the same terms as UK ILR I would expect it would carry a basic language requirement.

I am sure any factual mistakes I have made in regard to visa status and language requirement will be quickly pointed out!

FarangBuddha, on 2010-06-14 18:39:37, said:

Sadly not. Some years ago my firm booked me a return flight London Houston on BA through our corporate travel agent.

I had confirmation numbers and allocated seats for both legs. Flight to Houston was fine but when I checked in to return they said I could not fly because the agent had not processed the payment for the return flight, the confirmation number only meant a reservation had been made but it did not guarantee anything unless the money had turned up.