PHUKET: A lovelorn British tourist who threatened to jump from the roof of a Patong resort distracted local police by his sideshow early today.

The man, first-name Michael, went to Soi Bangla for a night out with his holiday friend, Gemma. According to reports, they made quite a night of it.

However, early this morning, Gemma became a little tense when Michael began to pay too much attention to a nubile young pole dancer at a bar.

Trouble flared when they returned to their beachfront resort about 2.30am, with Gemma still seething.

''I want to move to another room on my own,'' she told her inebriated travelling companion. That message seems to have penetrate through the haze of a Patong night on the town.

Distressed at the thought, Michael went to the roof of the resort and threatened to jump. Resort staff notified the police and awaited developments.

When Patong officers arrived soon after, Michael decided that he preferred to go on living. He stepped back from the edge without a great deal of coaxing.

No charges are being laid. Police were not able to say today whether Gemma got her separate room.