Thailand ladies’s esports star disqualified after dishonest on stage and nonetheless dropping

A Thailand ladies’s esports participant has been disqualified from the SEA Video games after being caught dishonest throughout a reside match, regardless of her workforce nonetheless dropping the collection and being blown out.

The incident occurred throughout the thirty third SEA Video games Area of Valor competitors on December 15, when Thailand’s ladies’s workforce suffered a 0–3 loss to Vietnam within the higher bracket last.

Shortly after the match, the Thailand Esports Federation (TESF) confirmed that Warasin Naraphat, higher generally known as Tokyogurl, had been disqualified for violating competitors guidelines.

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TESF mentioned Naraphat breached the Esports Technical Handbook, which strictly bans the usage of unauthorized third-party software program or modified competitors tools throughout matches.

On-line hypothesis exploded after viewers seen suspicious habits throughout the broadcast. Thai outlet Khaosod later reported that Naraphat was seen making a middle-finger gesture on digicam earlier than being substituted out mid-series in opposition to Vietnam.

An investigation was instantly launched by SEA Video games officers. Naraphat, who performed marksman for the workforce, was discovered to have dedicated a critical technical violation and obtained the match’s most penalty: disqualification.

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TESF didn’t verify the precise software program used. Nevertheless, investigations recommend TeamViewer, a distant entry program, might have been concerned and that another person might have been enjoying for Tokyogurl.

Thailand withdraws from Area of Valor match after dishonest controversy

The fallout prolonged far past one participant.

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, TESF made the choice to withdraw all the Area of Valor ladies’s workforce from the match.

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“Honest play is paramount,” TESF mentioned in an official assertion. “We settle for the organizing committee’s choice and can conduct an inside investigation to stop comparable incidents from recurring.”

Cryptic social media posts from teammates fueled hypothesis earlier than the official ruling.

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Participant Jomkhon ‘Givemeakiss’ Phumsinin wrote, “Figuring out the reality broke my coronary heart, however I’ll do my finest,” whereas teammate Jenniex requested followers for persistence as occasions unfolded.

Naraphat’s membership, Talon, moved swiftly following the ruling, asserting the rapid termination of her contract efficient December 16.

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Tokyogurl denies wrongdoing

Regardless of the ruling, Naraphat has publicly denied dishonest.

In an announcement shared on social media, she claimed she performed the match herself with none unauthorized software program or {hardware}. She mentioned she panicked throughout the sport, turned unwell, and was taken to hospital afterward. Naraphat additionally downplayed her on-camera gesture, saying it was a joke aimed toward a careworn teammate.

The SEA Video games controversy provides to a rising checklist of current dishonest scandals throughout esports.

Earlier this yr, CS2 professional Joel ‘joel’ Holmlund obtained a everlasting ban after cheats had been discovered on his PC, compounded by threats towards the Esports Integrity Fee.

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Even non-traditional esports haven’t been immune. In April 2025, streamer DrLupo was faraway from a $100,000 PogChamps chess occasion after violating Chess.com’s honest play guidelines, a case that ended with a full confession.