Sala (architecture)

This article or section needs to be revised. Please help to improve it , and then remove this flag.

A newly renovated sala in Wat Ratchabopit , Bangkok

The Sala (Thai: ศาลา ) is an open pavilion , not only used in a Wat (a Buddhist temple complex in Thailand ) as a resting place and meeting point.

A sala usually has a rectangular base and is often open on all sides, at best one side is based on the Kampheng Kaeo . They usually serve worldly needs and are built along roads and rivers: in the country, travelers can e.g. B. use it as a night camp. In this case they are called Sala Asai . If the temple is on a khlong (canal), the landing stages for boats are often covered. Passengers can wait for the boat in a Sala Nam (= "water pavilion").

In some temples there is a large, open hall where the laity can hear sermons or attend their daily religious classes. It is called Sala Kan Parian , literally: "Hall in which monks study for their Parian examination".

• 

  A Sala Nam in Wat Benchamabophit

• 

  The great Sala Kan Parian in Wat Suan Dok , Chiang Mai

• 

  A Sala Rim Thanon ( roadside pavilion )

Individual evidence

1. ↑ W. Boonjub: The study of Thai traditional architecture as a resource for contemporary building design in Thailand. 2009.