Sala (Thai architecture) in Thailand

A sala, also known as a Sala Thai, is an open pavilion, used as a meeting place and to give people shade. With etymological roots in the Sanskrit sala, the word in Thai connotes buildings for specific purposes, such as sala klang ('provincial hall'). Most are open on all four sides. They are found throughout Thailand in Buddhist temple areas, or wats, although they can also be at other places. A person who builds a sala at a temple or in a public place gains religious merit. A sala located in a temple is called a salawat (ศาลาวัด). Some temples have large salas where laity can hear sermons or receive religious instruction. These are called sala kan parian, meaning 'pavilion where monks learn for the Parian examination'. The city halls or offices of the province governors are called sala wa kan (literally meaning 'government pavilion') or sala klang changwat, literally meaning a 'provincial main pavilion').