STARTERS AND SNACKS t's not customary in Thailand to have starters or an entrée at meal times, but the Thai people are inveterate snackers At parties or celebrations much of the food served is snack food with wonderful sauces. There'll be spicy fish cakes, crisp fried vegetables in featherlight batter, minced pork and seafood in pastries, spring rolls, beef balls and satays. Alongside this array on makeshift tables under pretty lanterns the bowls of sauces! Some of them, simple sugar and vinegar based ones with sliced chilli, chopped onion and coriander leaves. Others include the pride of the district, the local version of the Thai's favourite spicy hot sauce, Nam Prik Nam Priks" are a bit like sambals and not only make wonderful dips for snacks and raw vegetables but they can transform a bowl of rice nr noodles into a tasty meal.