This change will make Thailand the third place in Asia to allow same-sex marriage after Nepal, where the community were brutally suppressed before same sex marriage was eventually protected in law, and also Taiwan which became the first Asian country to vote for same sex marriage in 2019.

Thailand's King Maha Vajiralonghorn signed a same-sex marriage bill into law late Tuesday that will take effect Jan. 22. The king's endorsement is required to make laws official in Thailand.

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