Bang Kho Laem is one of the 50 districts (khet) of Bangkok. The district is bounded by (clockwise from north) Sathon, Yan Nawa, and across the Chao Phraya River, Rat Burana, Thon Buri and Khlong San districts.
Bang Kho Laem was formerly a part of amphoe Ban Thawai in Phra Pradaeng Province. Ban Thawai was later reassigned to Phra Nakhon Province, and renamed amphoe Yan Nawa. When Phra Nakhon and Thon Buri were combined into a single province in 1972, the names of administrative units in the newly combined capital were changed from amphoe and tambon to district (khet) and sub-district (khwaeng). Thus, amphoe Yan Nawa became khet Yan Nawa. Due to population increases, on 18 April 1989, Yan Nawa Branch 2 (Khwaeng Bang Kho Laem) was established as a second administrative unit within the Yan Nawa District, overseeing three sub-districts: Bang Kho Laem, Wat Phraya Krai, and Bang Khlo. It became a separate district on 9 November 1989, called Bang Kho Lae.
The district is divided into three sub-districts (khwaeng). Bang Kho Laem, Wat Phraya Krai and Bang Khlo.