Using Yang and Yangs particle-hole description, we present a thorough derivation of the thermodynamic Bethe ansatz equations for a general $SU(kappa)$ fermionic system in one-dimension for both the repulsive and attractive regimes under the presence of an external magnetic field. These equations are derived from Sutherlands Bethe ansatz equations by using the spin-string hypothesis. The Bethe ansatz root patterns for the attractive case are discussed in detail. The relationship between the various phases of the magnetic phase diagrams and the external magnetic fields is given for the attractive case. We also give a quantitative description of the ground state energies for both strongly repulsive and strongly attractive regimes.