Thailand legalizes same-sex marriage in a first for Southeast Asia

PHUKET, Thailand — Thailand’s landmark marriage equality bill has been endorsed by the monarchy, making it the first country in Southeast Asia and the third place in Asia to recognize same-sex marriage.

The bill, which required approval from King Maha Vajiralongkorn, was officially written into law late Tuesday when it was published in the Royal Gazette. It will take effect in 120 days, allowing LGBTQ couples to register their marriages starting Jan. 22.

The law, which amends the country’s Civil and Commercial Code to use gender-neutral words such as “individual” rather than “men and women,” was approved overwhelmingly by legislators this year. It grants married couples full legal, financial and medical rights regardless of gender.

“Congratulations on everyone’s love,” Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said in a post on X that included the hashtag #LoveWins.

Thailand, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia, is known for its tolerance and vibrant LGBTQ social scene, but it also retains conservative social values that made passing the law a yearslong struggle for activists.

Taiwan was the first place in Asia to allow same-sex marriage in 2019, followed last year by the South Asian country of Nepal. Taiwan, a self-governing democracy that Beijing claims as its territory, said last week that Taiwanese Chinese couples are also now legally able to register their cross-strait marriages on the island.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com