Weeks after Thailand’s ladies’s Area of Valor crew withdrew from the SEA Video games amid a dishonest scandal, the reality behind the incident has lastly come out.
In the course of 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 remaining. Shortly after the match, the Thailand Esports Federation confirmed that Warasin Naraphat, identified in-game as Tokyogurl, had been disqualified for violating competitors guidelines.
Officers stated Naraphat breached the Esports Technical Guide, which strictly prohibits the usage of unauthorized software program, modified tools, or third-party involvement throughout matches. An investigation by SEA Video games organizers adopted, with Naraphat receiving the event’s most penalty: disqualification.
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Regardless of Thailand main Laos 1–0 within the decrease bracket remaining on December 16 and nonetheless having a path to the gold medal match, the federation made the shock determination to withdraw your entire ladies’s crew from the event.
Tokyogurl represented Thailand’s ladies’s crew in Area of Valor on the thirty third SEA Video games.
On the time, Tokyogurl denied wrongdoing. She claimed she performed the match herself, stated she panicked mid-game, grew to become unwell, and was later taken to hospital.
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That narrative collapsed on January 2.
Thai esports participant confesses to enjoying 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 stated the choice was egocentric, accepted full accountability, and apologized to followers, officers, and the teammates who misplaced their probability to compete.
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“I wish to come out and make clear the problems which have occurred up to now throughout the SEA Video games interval and different competitions, the place everybody suspected {that a} third occasion was enjoying in place throughout a number of matches. I admit that it’s true.”
Cheerio defined that the dimensions of the backlash left him uncertain reply, main him to remain silent for greater than two weeks after the match.
“I didn’t intend for issues to escalate so far and trigger disappointment to many individuals,” he added. “I humbly settle for all criticism and the implications that comply with, with none excuses.”
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In keeping with regional outlet Baomoi, Cheerio had been extremely revered throughout 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 position. The next morning, she posted a quick apology on Fb, writing merely: “I’m sorry.”
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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 shifting ahead with authorized motion in opposition to each events, vowing to pursue the case to the fullest extent doable.
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 have been discovered on his PC, compounded by threats towards the Esports Integrity Fee.
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Even occasions outdoors conventional esports have been affected. In April 2025, streamer DrLupo was dropped from a $100,000 PogChamps chess event after violating Chess.com’s honest play guidelines, an argument that finally resulted in a full admission.
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