The Asoka Pillar Award is an honorary Thai award that recognises individuals and organisations who have made significant contributions to Buddhism. Fully known as the Asoka Pillar Moral Leader Award, its purpose is to publicly commend them as exemplary figures and encourage others to follow their example.

The award is inspired by the pillars of Emperor Asoka (fig.), which symbolise the flourishing and spread of Buddhism. Recipients are regarded as ‘pillars of Buddhism’, reflecting their role in upholding and promoting the religion. The award itself is a gilded pillar based on the Asoka Pillar design (fig.).