PHUKET: Tears, memories and celebration, flowing from one island to another. The death this week of Singapore's founding father has stirred a heartfelt response from Singaporean expats in Phuket, who have been gathering at Anthem Wakepark in Cherng Talay to sign a condolence book and celebrate his legacy.

Rebecca Lek, Anthem's co-founder and a seven-year resident of Phuket, sent word out on the social media channels that a condolence book would be available to sign at the park for anyone wanting to write a message to honour Mr Lee's life and accomplishments.

Ms Lek, who has travelled extensively, wrote this tribute to former Prime Minister on her Facebook page: ''Thank you Mr Lee . . . or giving me my red passport that I can enter many countries without a Visa or being picked on by immigration . . .for making me color and religion blind . . . for insisting that we speak at least two languages . . . for providing the meritocracy platform for girls to stand an equal chance to compete with the boys and that is probably why most Singaporean female are so ''cheo,'' fearless and self reliant; so we can survive anywhere outside Singapore . . . You are utterly irreplaceable in all our hearts.''

In the condolence book, she added, ''Thank you for building a governing powerhouse that is corruption free and effective. You have built us a brand and given us an image where we can walk tall and far wherever we go for we are known to be clean and full of integrity, thus trustworthy in friendship and business. These qualities are the essence to success and prosperity.''

A fellow Singaporean wrote, ''Rest well. You will live in our memory forever. We Singaporeans will not let your legacy down.''

And from a long-term Thai resident of Singapore: ''Feel forever grateful of your leadership, providing soil for my personal growth and let me thrive as a resident there for 20+ years.''

Ms Lek said that there's no organised Singaporean community in Phuket and she's not sure of the number of expats living here. The passing of Mr Lee may spark a few more gatherings, however, as the death of Mr Lee has had the unintended consequence of helping the handful of Singaporean Phuket residents to find one another.

Ms Lek wrote with a photo of herself with some new-found friends who'd come to sign the book, ''In times of loss . . . we found each other for the first time . . . new Singers sisterhood.''

Visitors are welcome to drop in to Anthem Wakepark today from 1pm to 5pm to sign the book, which will be sent to Singapore via the Embassy in Bangkok on Saturday. The wake park is found near Wat Thepwanaram, about 4km west of the Heroines' Monument roundabout.

Lee Kuan Yew's funeral is in Singapore on Sunday.