Asala (Thai:ศาลา[sǎːlaː]), also known as aSala Thai, is an openpavilion, used as a meeting place and to give people shade. With etymological roots in the Sanskritsala, the word in Thai connotes buildings for specific purposes, such assala klang ('provincial hall').[1] Most are open on all four sides. They are found throughout Thailand inBuddhist temple areas, orwats, 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 asalawat (ศาลาวัด), it's a transliteration from the Khmer word "sala wat", means a house for gathering to study, meeting in a wat. Some temples have large salas wherelaity can hear sermons or receive religious instruction. These are calledsala kan parian (ศาลาการเปรียญ), meaning 'pavilion where monks learn for the Parian examination'. The city halls or offices of the province governors are calledsala wa kan (ศาลาว่าการ, literally meaning 'government pavilion') orsala klangchangwat (ศาลากลางจังหวัด, literally meaning a 'provincial main pavilion').
In Thailand, they have many purposes similar to the roadside pavilions ofAsoka. In rural areas, travelers can use them to rest and reflect. These salas are calledsala asai. One at the roadside is asala rim thanon (ศาลาริมถนน) and may be used as a bus stop. If on a riverbank or canal at a landing-place for watercraft, they are calledsala tha nam (ศาลาท่าน้ำ 'water pier pavilions').
The term"sala" earliest known mention is found inAtharvaveda,[2] which is an IndianHindu text written insanskrit language,[2] which has been dated to 1200 BC to 1000 BC.[3][4]"Sala" in Atharvaveda and later in various Indian languages denotes"house" in a broad and generic sense, with meanings such as"stall" for cattle,"shed" for corn, room or house, etc. The owner or the head of the house is called the"sala-pati" in Atharvaveda.[2] Term "sala" is a cognate ofHindi शाल, meaning hall, large room or shed.[5]
