Before the pandemic there were plenty of buses traveling north, in my case Nakhon Sawan, from Mochit bus terminal all through the day. You only had to go and get a ticket. Is it the same today, are there still plenty of buses, or is it better to try and book a bus online?

If you want one of the really comfortable VIP buses, best to book online.  It also depends on when you plan to travel.  Anything around a major holiday should be booked in advance.

Most weekdays, you can buy as a walk-in.

1 hour ago, dddave said:

If you want one of the really comfortable VIP buses, best to book online.  It also depends on when you plan to travel.  Anything around a major holiday should be booked in advance.

Most weekdays, you can buy as a walk-in.

I'm traveling on the Sunday, should I wait until the Monday?

20 hours ago, NoshowJones said:

I'm traveling on the Sunday, should I wait until the Monday?

Sunday shouldn't be bad as the majority of passengers are returning to Bangkok, not departing as they would be Friday and Saturday.

Catch a train

11 minutes ago, dddave said:

Sunday shouldn't be bad as the majority of passengers are returning to Bangkok, not departing as they would be Friday and Saturday.

That's great thanks.

6 minutes ago, bignok said:

Catch a train

Absolutely not, A 5 hour trip took seven hours and the seat situation was disgraceful There was only a 14 ins gap between my single window seat facing forward and the double seat facing me.

That seat was occupied by a grossly overweight guy and my feet had to stretch out to the passageway.

If I had been there before the big fat guy he would not have got in because I would not have moved my feet.

17 minutes ago, bignok said:

Catch a train

Does the OP need to book? IIRC getting on the longer hauls e.g. Bangkok to Chiang Mai was not easy.

5 minutes ago, NoshowJones said:

Absolutely not, A 5 hour trip took seven hours and the seat situation was disgraceful There was only a 14 ins gap between my single window seat facing forward and the double seat facing me.

That seat was occupied by a grossly overweight guy and my feet had to stretch out to the passageway.

If I had been there before the big fat guy he would not have got in because I would not have moved my feet.

The special express is only two and a half hours, train #7

 

https://www.thailandtrains.com/train-travel-from-bangkok-to-nakhon-sawan/

22 hours ago, NoshowJones said:

Before the pandemic there were plenty of buses traveling north, in my case Nakhon Sawan, from Mochit bus terminal all through the day. You only had to go and get a ticket. Is it the same today, are there still plenty of buses, or is it better to try and book a bus online?

There are fewer buses at Mochit bus station now than there was pre-covid.  Minivan is also an option, if you are okay with that type of transport.  I agree/think that minivans are more dangerous and less comfortable than buses, but they are cheaper and they depart more frequently.

9 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

The special express is only two and a half hours, train #7

 

https://www.thailandtrains.com/train-travel-from-bangkok-to-nakhon-sawan/

The 14 15 train was the one I got. I actually live about 55 Ks north of Nakhon Sawan. Cannot get a bus directly from Bangkok to where I live except the mini buses which I will not use because of their idiot drivers, and I'm not just talking about their driving. I really appreciate the time you are taking to help me.

 

 

 

I enjoy trains. Minivans are terrible. Big buses are ok. Travelfish info might be out of date.