Prawet was once part of Phra Khanong District. Prawet was elevated to become a separate district in 1989. Part of Prawet, especially the Suan Luang Sub-district, was carved out to establish Suan Luang District on 14 January 1994.
In October 2005 the plan to create the special administrative area Nakhon Suvarnabhumi around the new Bangkok airport became public. Prawet was supposed to be one of five districts to be included in this new area.
Administration
The district is sub-divided into three sub-districts (khwaeng).
The district's motto is "Prawet is green and shady, of particular note is Suan Luang Rama IX, the open university inculcates high moral values and helps to develop model citizens".
Srinagarindra Road is a main artery of the district, Chaloem Phra Kiat Ratchakan Thi 9 and Phatthanakan with On Nut (Sukhumvit 77) as well as Sukhaphiban 2 Roads considered as a minor road. Kanchanaphisek Road (Outer Ring Road) passes through the eastern area.