There is going to be a festival in Lo Paret Village on Koh Yao Yai on the beach on December 19. This is a good chance to experience a real Thai cultural event not aimed at tourists. I have heard there will be food, games, maybe music on a beach where there are no big hotels, no touts, no beach chair and umbrella rentals. Just the ocean and the sand. Even though this is a Muslim fishing village there is no problem with farangs drinking on the beach (but not in town). You can even sleep on the beach for free. There are ferries scheduled from Jian Warnit Pier in Phuket town at 830 1030 1400 1600 1700 but check. Should be fun and interesting.

Sounds interesting...bit of a mission to get over there for me though