I just got back home tonight after a couple of weeks in Thailand. Only about 5 days in BKK this trip. I enjoy the city. Whoever called it organized chaos is right. I like the insanity of the place. But I gotta say it was so damn hot this trip that there's no way I would be able to deal with that for very long.
I have been visiting Bangkok for the last 6 or 7 years. I do think it seems more stressed now and people look less happy in general.
I like the shopping. The relatively cheap top class hotels. Good food. And I also agree that the music scene is fascinating.
I loved the Grand Palace and surrounding areas. That stuff is so different than the USA which is part of what makes Bangkok fun and exotic.
I haven't ever been scammed...at least to my knowledge. I am sure I have overpaid for things sometimes, but usually still felt like I got a good value. I tend to be fairly wary though. It's pretty easy to say "No thanks" when people try to present you with stuff you don't want.