My wife reckons that there's a DIRECT bus service now from Phuket to Phitsanulok, ie without transiting through Bangkok. Other than this 'hearsay', she has no more details.

Anyone know of this service, and where to get more details? Thanks.

There is Phuket - Chiang Mai but don't know if they go via Phitsanulok or Tak, call them

http://greenbusthailand.com/en/customer-service/bus-schedules/

you could fly that route.

Your wife is 100% correct it goes from the main bus station in phuket town daily at 5pm i think, our son has caught it 2 or 3 times now when he goes to P'lok to visit his nan, its good because i used to worry about him changiong at Bkok but now his aunt picks him up at P'lok bus station, i think it takes about 14 hours.