Just sometimes, the benefits of living in the provinces: as the only current long-term farang in our town of 8,000 the senior office lady had to find the manual, gave me a list of required documents and went through the process with me - gave an appointment the following week. Provided the docs plus attended with one Thai witness, the second one was unavailable but the office woman knew him (he's the former land office manager, now retired) and said it was a good excuse for her to visit him at his home. Amazing.
Given a time to come back, multiple copies to initial or sign, given the yellow book (no fee) then a 'sit down please' for photo, paid 60b and walked out with yellow book, pink non-Thai ID card.
Two weeks later was accepted for my car and motorcycle licences - they took copies of both yellow/pink. Licences show my ID number not my passport number as previous ones did.
On a roll, I then went to open a Kasikorn account (already with Bangkok Bank) and similarly, simple process.
No real 'value' except for convenience. Note here the otherwise helpful Chanthaburi Immigration office do not issue residence letters, instead referring you to your embassy which isn't convenient to me.
As others have, or will, mention, experiences vary, but that was mine.