Jenny did a Thai cooking course many years ago at the WEA in Newcastle. Many of these recipes came from the tutor, who had trained in traditional Thai cooking in Thailand. She stressed that there are 4 essential taste aspects to achieve Thai flavour - Sweet, Sour, Hot and Salt.
Sweet : Sugar, palm sugar, coconut milk Sour : Vinegars, fish sauce, lime juice, lime leaves Hot : Chilli Salt : Fish sauce