Well after the new rule came in I chanced my luck on a flight BKK-DXB last month and was granted extra legroom seats at check in. The flight was not full and the check in agent changed our seats, without a fee.
However, once on board the crew would not allow any one else to sit in the other exit row seats that were empty, stating that they need to be paid for. We may have just been lucky or maybe they will give them (if available) to pax with status??