UPDATES
On Tuesday police were continuing investigations. The Farang 2 restaurant has reopened, 10am to 11pm.

On Monday police said that investigations were proceeding, with a business dispute or an argument over a woman considered the most likely motives.

On Sunday police told Phuketwan they were still carrying out interviews and unable at this stage to say more about who might have been responsible, or the motive.

THE OWNER of the popular Farang chain of restaurants, Chid ''Kit'' Raknang, was shot dead early today at his restaurant in Phuket City.

The drive-by shooting was carried out by an assassin riding on the back of a motorcycle, Phuketwan was told.

Police were interviewing witnesses today. The killers struck at about 1am as Khun Chid was sitting in his restaurant.

Phuketwan has been told the early-morning shooting followed a heated argument, witnessed by others, around 9.30pm the previous evening.

Investigations are being led by the island's Chief of Police, Major General Apirak Hongtong.

The two Farang restaurants on Phuket - the other one is in Chern Thalay - have been extremely popular dining places, offering a clever new take on fusion food.

The one in Phuket City, known as Farang 2, is on a corner along the Bypass Road, between Big C and the Phuket Brewery, opposite Index Living Mall.

A third Farang was opened in Bangkok, and it was regarded as a pioneering success for a Phuket brand to expand to the capital.

Farang 2 was a strong contender for Phuketwan Restaurant of the Year 2008 and several readers emailed to say it was their top choice.

Here is part of the review, published in June last year:

What the management says: This is a Phuket family business. Our first restaurant opened in Chern Talay in 2004. The second opened 19 months later, and the Bangkok one has been going for six months. We are looking to open Number 4. The name is distinctive, and that works for us. It's good to be able to start something in Phuket and take it to Bangkok, rather than the other way around.

What Phuketwan says: People have been saying good things about Farang 1 and Farang 2 for a while now. The Phuket City branch is a simple concrete brick construction with an envelope shaped space that allows you to look into the kitchen, The spoon and fork are crossed, a bit like a family coat of arms, on top of plain but sturdy tables with armless rattan chairs. The green fish curry (70 baht) proves to be a little fatty and the sausages on mashed potato and mushroom sauce (145 baht) come without real mushroom sauce or an explanation. The serving is certainly large enough, with two sausages topping plenty of mash and onion. The apple and carrot juice is in a small glass with too much ice. On one side is a busy roadway while there's a construction site on the other side. At these prices, though, the restaurant is deservedly popular and the formula clearly works when value is taken into account. Perhaps next time we should test the Italian-Thai fusion.

Farang 2, Phuket City, Dining Review
A name does not always reflect the qualities of a restaurant. An eatery called ''Thai'' would at least give an indication of the cuisine. Then again, ''Italian Thai Fusion'' is a bit of a mouthful.
Farang 2, Phuket City