Prik Ki Nu refers to Thai chili and is also known as birds eye chillies (sometimes called "birdshit" chillies"), scuds, dynamite chillies, or "mouse dropping" or mouse shit chillies. These Thai chillies are viciously hot and are widely used in Thai cuisine. They form the basis for most nam prik recipes. On a scale of 1 to 10 in ascending hotness, these chillies rate a "9" just behind habaneros and scotch bonnets.

Prik Ki Nu often refers to the green, unripe chilli. It has a sharper flavor and is used in green curries. The other variety of this chili is called Prik Ki Nu Daeng and Prik Ki Nu Daeng Haeng