NK Bus 997 (รถ 997 NK) from Nakhon Pathom to Bangkok Major Cineplex Pinklao
NK Bus 997 is a frequent minibus service between Nakhon Pathom and Bangkok. Heading back to Bangkok, the next train available for me was the Ordinary 258 which originates from Nam Tok. However, I was faced with a delayed train (as usual), and I would have to pay the foreigner fare of 100 Baht for the journey from Nakhon Pathom to Bangkok Thonburi even if I’m not travelling on the tourist route to Kanchanaburi. The bus solution to head back from Nakhon Pathom to Bangkok was thus an easy decision.
Nakhon Pathom NK Bus 997 (รถ 997 NK) Office
The Nakhon Pathom NK Bus 997 Office is located just about 150 meters away from Nakhon Pathom Railway Station. Google Maps location here.
There are 2 routes from here – a main Nakhon Pathom to Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) and Major Cineplex Pinklao route, and a less frequent Nakhon Pathom to Bang Wa BTS & MRT Station route.
NK Bus 997 (รถ 997 NK) to Bangkok Major Cineplex Pinklao
The next immediate departure was to Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) and Major Cineplex Pinklao at 4.20pm, so I took that to get moving to Bangkok instead of waiting around for the BTS Bang Wa bus which would be at 5pm.
The interior of the NK Bus 997 (รถ 997 NK) minibus in a 2+1 seating configuration. There is free seating on board.
USB charging sockets are provided at window seats on board the NK Bus 997 (รถ 997 NK) minibus.
My ticket for the NK Bus 997 (รถ 997 NK) from Nakhon Pathom to Bangkok Major Cineplex Pinklao which costs 50 Baht.
Heading out of Nakhon Pathom via Tesa Road.
The makes a few stops on the way out of Nakhon Pathom to pick up more flag-down passengers.
Approaching Nakhon Chaisi, the bus made a technical stop at Transport Co for the driver to report something to the counter. All non-local buses on the highway seem to make this stop.
Taking the route towards Pinklao.
There are some other set-down points before approaching Bangkok which some passengers used by calling out to the driver.
Major Cineplex Pinklao
The NK Bus 997 (รถ 997 NK) sets down passengers at an area after Major Cineplex Pinklao as the final stop.
My 4.20pm NK Bus 997 (รถ 997 NK) arrived at Major Cineplex Pinklao at 5.28pm, making this a total journey time of 1 hour and 2 minutes. The bus will head back to Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) where it originates to Nakhon Pathom.
The NK Bus 997 (รถ 997 NK) does not pick up passengers from Major Cineplex Pinklao to Nakhon Pathom.
Walking back to Major Cineplex Pinklao.
A variety of local bus routes pass by Major Cineplex Pinklao on their way to Bangkok, so this bus stop is a convenient transfer point if heading in to Bangkok by bus. Google Maps location here.
Conclusion
The NK Bus 997 (รถ 997 NK) journey was good as I boarded it just before departure time. USB charging sockets and air-conditioning was offered, which I appreciated. The bus also notably departed on time and does not wait to fill up at the origin stop, owing to the flag-down system in place for other passengers waiting along the route.