From the north clockwise, its neighbouring districts are: Bang Sue, Chatuchak, Din Daeng, Ratchathewi, and Dusit.

[5] In 1993, some eastern parts were moved out of the district to the newly-formed Din Daeng,[6] leaving Phaya Thai with only one remaining sub-district, Sam Sen Nai.

During the reign of King Rama VI, Phaya Thai was an area filled with military cantonments.

The Thai Philatelic Museum was renovated and moved to a building behind the Samsen Nai post office at Saphan Khwai in December 2004.

Among the exhibits are awards Thai philatelists received from various international competitions together with photocopies of the winning entries, posters depicting rare Thai stamps, and winning postage stamp designs.

There are three BTS skytrain stations in Phaya Thai: Sanam Pao, Ari, and Saphan Khwai.