Sirung Kosuk, 46, was in her shop when a lone man on a red and black Honda Dream motorbike stopped and fired at her. He hit her in the right eye, the bullet exiting through her right cheek.
Mrs Sirung was taken to the Phuket Provincial Hospital and although gravely injured was still alive later this afternoon.
Witnesses described the shooter as dark-skinned, about 1.6 metres tall and with hair in a duck tail at the back.
Police said that they had discovered Mrs Sirung was involved in a family dispute and they have a supect in mind.