SEA Games bans Thai women’s esports player after on-stage cheating scandal
A dramatic controversy hit the SEA Games esports scene after a member of Thailand’s women’s Arena of Valor team was disqualified for cheating during a live match, even though her team still suffered a heavy loss.
The incident happened during the upper bracket final on December 15, where Thailand was swept 0 to 3 by Vietnam. Not long after the series ended, the Thailand Esports Federation (TESF) confirmed that player Warasin Naraphat, known online as Tokyogurl, had been removed from the tournament for breaking competition rules.
According to TESF, the violation involved the use of unauthorized software or altered equipment, which is strictly prohibited under the Esports Technical Manual. Viewers quickly picked up on odd moments during the broadcast, sparking online discussions. Local reports later noted that Tokyogurl appeared to make a middle finger gesture on camera before being substituted out mid-series.
SEA Games officials launched an immediate investigation. Naraphat, who played as the team’s marksman, was later found guilty of a serious technical offense and was handed the harshest penalty available, full disqualification. While organizers did not officially name the software involved, reports suggested that a remote access program such as TeamViewer may have been used, raising concerns that another person could have been controlling the gameplay.
The fallout did not stop with one player. On December 16, Thailand still had a chance to reach the gold medal match after leading Laos 1 to 0 in the lower bracket final. Despite this, TESF chose to withdraw the entire women’s Arena of Valor team from the tournament.
In a statement, the federation said fair play must come first and confirmed it would carry out its own investigation to ensure the issue does not happen again. Before the official decision was announced, cryptic posts from teammates hinted at internal tension. One player shared that learning the truth was heartbreaking, while another asked fans to remain patient.
Naraphat’s professional team, Talon, also acted quickly. The organization announced that her contract had been terminated effective December 16.
Despite the ruling, Tokyogurl has denied cheating. In a social media post, she claimed she played the match herself and did not use any illegal software or devices. She explained that she panicked during the game, felt unwell afterward, and was taken to the hospital. She also said her on-camera gesture was meant as a joke toward a stressed teammate.
[Update] Tokyogurl Denies Cheating in 2025 SEA Games RoV Controversy
— Thai Enquirer (@ThaiEnquirer) December 16, 2025
Thai esports athlete Naphat Warasin, also known as Tokyogurl, has denied cheating in the 2025 SEA Games Arena of Valor (RoV) women’s team event, following her recent expulsion from the competition.
Responding… pic.twitter.com/B60MgXFYYl
The SEA Games incident adds to a growing list of cheating controversies in competitive gaming, once again putting esports integrity under the spotlight.
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