I'm sure a lot of us expats read a lot, but I think that most of us have transitioned to digital books and readers these days. much easier in Thailand...
It's handy, when you actually have it, IMO if it's worthwhile getting or not depends on the hoops put in front of you by the amphoe in which you live. And you can only get it from the one where you live...
But that's not the way that extracts the most money, is it? They'll let him dangle, dig a deeper hole for himself while extracting as much cash as they can, then lock him up, and/or deport him...