Sala (Thai architecture)

A person who builds a sala at a temple or in a public place gains religious merit.

Some temples have large salas where laity can hear sermons or receive religious instruction.

The city halls or offices of the province governors are called sala wa kan (ศาลาว่าการ, literally meaning 'government pavilion') or sala klang changwat (ศาลากลางจังหวัด, literally meaning a 'provincial main pavilion').

If on a riverbank or canal at a landing-place for watercraft, they are called sala tha nam (ศาลาท่าน้ำ 'water pier pavilions').

[2] Term "sala" is a cognate of Hindi शाल, meaning hall, large room or shed.

Wat Muang Khae Pier built in Sala Thai manner by the Chao Phraya River
A Sala Thai given by the Thai government at Ueno Zoo , Tokyo
Thai sala at Olbrich Botanical Gardens