PHUKET put on a performance that merged the red, white and blue of Thailand to a sea of smiling island faces and flags this evening.

Given 15 minutes of fame on national television and the chance to perform the national anthem in a special place, Phuket excelled.

About 10,000 people risked a Phuket thunderstorm and raised their flags and their voices in sunshine in a stirring rendition of the song that always stops the nation. (Well ok, there were a few drops of rain, but not enough to spoil the party.)

The chorus was the highlight after the cameras panned around the palymras and the spectacular panorama of Cape Promthep.

It was a superb setting, with the inviting message: come to see for yourselves We spotted some familiar faces there, waving flags, along with Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob and his wife.

It was a multicultural symphony of sound and sight, with Phuket's Muslim community well represented. Young, old, rich and not so rich . . . it did not seem to matter much. The island was the real star, the idol of a nation tonight.

The heroines and Phuket's history were also part of the province's allotted space as the 40th province in the remarkable series.

Daily performances will celebrate all 76 provinces, one by one, until HM The King's birthday on December 5.

Getting home from Cape Promthep was the difficult part for the singalong participants, with some of the chorus having to walk to cars parked as far away as Rawai beach.