HE was known to his customers as ‘Joke’ and for more than 30 years he ran one of Alton’s most popular restaurants, The River Kwai on Cross and Pillory Lane.

Chalermpun Crutkaew (pictured) died on March 3 aged 68 at his Alton home, leaving behind his partner, Sopa Tretipetch, with whom he opened the business in 1987. Sopa will continue to run the restaurant supported by her staff of five.

Born and brought up in northern Thailand, Mr Crutkaew came to England as a young man to help a friend who had opened a restaurant in Dorking. Seven years later, he and Sopa managed to save enough money to open their own restaurant.

The couple never moved from their Cross and Pillory Lane premises and in those early days it gave residents the chance to taste Thai food for the first time.

Over the years the restaurant gained a reputation for its wide variety of authentic and delicious dishes and Joke, with his exuberant personality and friendly greeting for his customers, made it a happy dining experience for everyone.

When he took time off from the restaurant he liked to play golf, but in 1997 he began to suffer ill health which meant he couldn’t play as often as he would have liked.

But he continued to work hard in his restaurant, always offering a smile and a greeting for his customers until just a few months ago.

His funeral is at Basingstoke Crematorium on March 28 at 4.15pm, and his daughter, who lives in Switzerland – he also has a grandson - will be among the mourners.