A LARGE blaze in a three-storey terrace of shophouses caused substantial damage in Patong early today.

The shophouses are between the Holiday Inn Resort on the beach road, about one and a half kilometres from the Jintana Plaza stall shop retail outlet, which has become notorious for regular outbreaks of flames.

Today's Patong blaze came just after midnight in the terrace of five shophouses, on the corner of the beach road and Soi Kebsub.

The blaze, put out by police, was thought to be under control. But it flared again at 3am and a fire truck was called.

A tailor and clothing sales outlets occupied some of the shops.

Insurance assessors will inspect the damage and estimate the cost today.

The latest alarm at Jintana Plaza brought fire trucks racing there on Monday evening, but it turned out to be a small electrical fire that left the acrid smell of smoke hovering as the rain fell.

Phuketwan will carry an update on the latest Patong blaze as soon as we have fresh information.