Twenty years ago, Phrakanong was the outskirts of what most people thought of as Bangkok. It was a cheap place to live, inhabited heavily by working people. And in many ways, it still is. But where 20 years ago, there were very few buildings that were more than 4-6 stories high, today there are a lot and more are going up.  And these are nice condos!

If you want nightlife, Phrakanong probably isn't for you. Yes, there are a few snooker halls and karaoke bars, and if you speak Thai, you can enjoy yourself in them. But this is an area where working people live and it shows in pretty much every aspect of the streets in the area. There are lots of street food vendors and reasonably priced cafes. At night, the street food vendors triple as they cater to the people coming home from work and looking to relax and have a bite to eat with their friends. The massage parlors here give real strong massages, and the prices are cheap. 

Phrakanong is also home to a large portion of Bangkok's Muslim population. There are multiple mosques off of Sukhumvit 71 and call to prayer rings out every day multiple times.  A number of the apartment complexes in the area cater specifically to Muslims (they won't turn you away if you are not Muslim).

Phrakanong is home to a number of decent private schools (not International Schools) and for those who want a good Thai or bilingual school, this is a good place to look.

Phrakanong market is well known to most Thais, and for good reason. When it comes to food, it's hard to beat the deals in the market. Only recently has MaxValue moved into the area and provided a new, modern shopping outlet. The Carson that appears in the photo has been there at least 20 years, and MaxValue just replaced the Jusco that had been in Phrakanong for 20 years.