Curry powder is the cornerstone of Indian cooking.  There has no fixed recipe, but it usually contains  some or all of the following ingredients: peppercorns, cumin, turmeric, mustard seed, ginger, coriander seed, cinnamon, cloves, fenugreek, fennel seed, cardamom and chile peppers.

Thai curry paste has more heat and will contain other ingredients such as garlic, lemon grass and lime peel. 

Its best to toast curry powder for a minute or two in a skillet, with a little vegetable oil which will eliminate some of the raw curry taste while adding flavor.