PHUKET: A British tourist jumped to his death on the holiday island of Phuket today after falling into debt.

The 64-year-old man climbed a radio tower at the headquarters of the Phuket Tourist Police in Phuket City.

Local police and their families, who live in houses and apartments around the Tourist Police offices, looked on in horror as the man plunged.

The man had come to Phuket on a tourist visa on October 6 and ran short of money.

On October 29, he was forced to leave a lodging house in Patong, the tourist hub on Phuket's west coast, owing the proprietors money for his accommodation and food.

He was helped by Phuket Tourist Police, who allowed him to stay in one of two rooms at the Tourist Police headquarters in Phuket City that were opened last year for tourists down on their luck.

Today, without a word to anyone, the man climbed the radio tower at the rear of the building about 7.15am and, 10 minutes later, jumped.

Tourist Police officers contacted British honorary consul Martin Carpenter, who was quickly on the scene.

The man's body was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital, just a few hundred metres away.

Phuketwan has the man's name but will not publish it until relatives have been notified.

People feeling depressed or down are advised to seek help from family or friends. If they are unavailable, visit a doctor.