Thailand makes history with gay marriage law signed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn

The Thai king has signed same-sex marriage into law, the official Royal Gazette said Tuesday, making Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia to recognise marriage equality.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn gave royal assent to the new law, passed by parliament in June, which will take effect in 120 days – meaning the first gay weddings are expected to take place in January.

Activists hailed a “monumental step” as Thailand becomes only the third place in Asia where same-sex couples can tie the knot, after Taiwan and Nepal.

The law on marriage now uses gender-neutral terms in place of “men”, “women”, “husbands” and “wives”, and also grants adoption and inheritance rights to same-sex couples.

The king’s formal approval marks the culmination of years of campaigning and thwarted attempts to pass equal marriage laws.