Weeks after Thailand’s girls’s Area of Valor staff withdrew from the SEA Video games amid a dishonest scandal, the reality behind the incident has lastly come out.
Throughout the thirty third SEA Video games Area of Valor competitors on December 15, Thailand suffered a 0–3 loss to Vietnam within the higher bracket last. Shortly after the match, the Thailand Esports Federation confirmed that Warasin Naraphat, recognized in-game as Tokyogurl, had been disqualified for violating competitors guidelines.
Officers mentioned Naraphat breached the Esports Technical Guide, which strictly prohibits using unauthorized software program, modified gear, or third-party involvement throughout matches. An investigation by SEA Video games organizers adopted, with Naraphat receiving the match’s most penalty: disqualification.Article continues after advert
Regardless of Thailand main Laos 1–0 within the decrease bracket last on December 16 and nonetheless having a path to the gold medal match, the federation made the shock resolution to withdraw all the girls’s staff from the match.
TESFTokyogurl represented Thailand’s girls’s staff in Area of Valor on the thirty third SEA Video games.
On the time, Tokyogurl denied wrongdoing. She claimed she performed the match herself, mentioned she panicked mid-game, turned unwell, and was later taken to hospital.Article continues after advert
That narrative collapsed on January 2.
Thai esports participant confesses to taking part in for Tokyogurl
Thai esports participant Cheerio, often known as Kong and Tokyogurl’s boyfriend, posted a TikTok message admitting he had performed in her place. He mentioned the choice was egocentric, accepted full duty, and apologized to followers, officers, and the teammates who misplaced their likelihood to compete.Article continues after advert
“I wish to come out and make clear the problems which have occurred previously in the course of the SEA Video games interval and different competitions, the place everybody suspected {that a} third get together was taking part in in place throughout a number of matches. I admit that it’s true.”
Cheerio defined that the dimensions of the backlash left him uncertain find out how to reply, main him to remain silent for greater than two weeks after the match.
“I didn’t intend for issues to escalate up to now and trigger disappointment to many individuals,” he added. “I humbly settle for all criticism and the results that observe, with none excuses.”Article continues after adArticle continues after advert
In response to regional outlet Baomoi, Cheerio had been extremely revered inside the Thai esports scene previous to the incident, making the confession much more damaging.
Esports cheaters face authorized penalties
Writer Garena banned Tokyogurl from all Area of Valor tournaments beginning December 16, 2025. Her membership, TALON, terminated her contract instantly, whereas RoV Esports organizers issued a lifetime ban.
The punishments mark one of the extreme scandals within the historical past of Thai esports.
Solely after Cheerio’s admission did Tokyogurl acknowledge her function. The next morning, she posted a short apology on Fb, writing merely: “I’m sorry.”Article continues after advert
In the meantime, Santi Lothong, President of the Asian Digital Sports activities Federation and head of the Esports Sports activities Affiliation of Thailand, is reportedly transferring ahead with authorized motion towards each events, vowing to pursue the case to the fullest extent potential.
That is simply the newest in a protracted line of esports dishonest controversies.
Final 12 months, CS2 professional Joel ‘joel’ Holmlund acquired a everlasting ban after cheats had been discovered on his PC, compounded by threats towards the Esports Integrity Fee.Article continues after adArticle continues after advert
Even occasions exterior conventional esports have been affected. In April 2025, streamer DrLupo was dropped from a $100,000 PogChamps chess match after violating Chess.com’s truthful play guidelines, an issue that in the end resulted in a full admission.
