A Thai female esports athlete has been disqualified from the 33rd SEA Games after being found guilty of a serious breach of competition regulations during a women’s Arena of Valor match, triggering widespread backlash and the withdrawal of Thailand’s team from the event.
The Thai Olympic Committee and the Telecommunications Federation of Thailand (TESF) confirmed that Warasin Naphat, widely known by her in-game alias ‘Tokyogurl’, was removed from the tournament following an investigation into irregular conduct observed during a semi-final match against Vietnam on Dec 15.
Warasin, who played as a marksman for Thailand’s women’s Arena of Valor squad, was found to have violated Article 9.4.3 of the Esports Technical Handbook, which prohibits the use of unauthorised third-party software or any interference with competition equipment.
Officials said referees first detected anomalies during the live broadcast, including a noticeable delay between the player’s hand movements and in-game actions, as well as unusual gestures that raised suspicions.
When approached for a routine equipment check, the player allegedly attempted to shield her device, further intensifying concerns.
Subsequent investigations revealed that Warasin had shared her screen via the Discord application, allowing another individual – reportedly her boyfriend – to remotely control the game on her behalf. The gameplay was then projected onto her device, enabling her to mimic in-game actions while appearing to compete on stage.
Despite Thailand suffering a 0–3 defeat to Vietnam in the match, tournament organisers proceeded with disciplinary action, stressing that the integrity of the competition must be upheld regardless of the outcome.
Following the inquiry, Thailand’s Head of Esports Technical Department imposed the maximum sanction by disqualifying Warasin from the SEA Games. The incident also prompted Thai Esports Association president, Santi Lothong to announce the withdrawal of the national women’s Arena of Valor team from the tournament.
Warasin has denied the allegations, insisting that she played the match herself and claiming she fell ill during the game.
The scandal has sparked sharp criticism from Thai fans, many expressing disappointment over the damage caused to the country’s sporting reputation and the principles of fair play at the regional multi-sport event.
-THE MALAYSIA VOICE
