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PHUKET, Thailand \u2014 Thailand<\/a>\u2019s landmark marriage equality bill<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n The bill, which required approval from King Maha Vajiralongkorn<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n The law, which amends the country\u2019s Civil and Commercial Code to use gender-neutral words such as \u201cindividual\u201d rather than \u201cmen and women,\u201d was approved overwhelmingly by legislators<\/a> this year. It grants married couples full legal, financial and medical rights regardless of gender.<\/p>\n \u201cCongratulations on everyone\u2019s love,\u201d Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra<\/a> said in a post on X<\/a> that included the hashtag #LoveWins.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n It \u201cmeans a lot\u201d for Thailand to be the first country in Southeast Asia to achieve marriage equality, said Nada Chaiyajit, an LGBTQ advocate and a law lecturer at Mae Fah Luang University in Chiang Rai.<\/p>\n \u201cWe show that diversity means diversity, and the government hears the voice of the people that we are ready to build inclusive societies where everyone will be able to form families, regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, et cetera,\u201d Nada told NBC News.<\/p>\n While the law allows married couples to adopt children regardless of gender, the words \u201cfather\u201d and \u201cmother\u201d have yet to be changed to the gender-neutral \u201cparent,\u201d which Nada said is the goal when the law is next able to be amended in five years.<\/p>\n Taiwan<\/a> was the first place in Asia to allow same-sex marriage<\/a> in 2019, followed last year by the South Asian country of Nepal<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n This article was originally published on NBCNews.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n