Love CM and had amazing years from 2012-2016, it only became worse by the year after that. Now it is just a dump if you ask me, they ruined the old city entirely too. Lots of traffic jams but few actual customers in most places, except perhaps nimman area.
Too many bureaucrats, cops and nagging people too. Too many 1 person car driver BKK style.
We left for the south of Thailand aside of some breaks in Bangkok during covid, I never look back to it. Only thing I still love is visiting Chiang Mai during the winter months as it's so nice. But can't miss the super hot months, pollution months, rain months.
On the Islands down south just with not needing aircon, saves me over 45,000 baht per year, already. School less too. Food not more expensive, not sure where those fake stories came from too. I can get 1.5 portions from 50-60 baht at plenty places. In CM hard to find.
Nothing is forever in life and we have to embrace changing I guess, but wow, it still hurts to know CM is not longer this magical diamond up north. Can't be fixed anymore either, as it was really about those old businesses, their owners and the vibes.