Has been going on there for years, any foreigner is a target...
I was taken there by Thai friends about 10 years ago, the boat operator wanted 500 baht per head for a 10 minute ride.. 6 people in the boat !!!!!
The canal side market is also a trap for over-pricing, never returned even though it's only 45 minutes away
Blame everything else except yourselves, the constant fights, drugs, drunkenness, taxi rip-offs, safety, the list is endless.
Clean up your own mess before blaming the decline on others.
Maybe they should consider these standards for all Thai drivers, most foreigners have undergone much stricter driving lessons, exams and tests to obtain a driving licence