Thai Player Steps In for Girlfriend as SEA Games Esports Substitution Scandal Comes to Light

Just weeks after Thailand’s women’s Honor of Kings International squad withdrew from the Southeast Asian Games amid a cheating controversy, the full story behind the incident has finally come into clear focus.

On December 15, during the winners’ bracket final of the Honor of Kings International event at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, Thailand fell 0–3 to Vietnam. Shortly after the match, the Thailand Esports Federation confirmed that the player using the in-game ID “Tokyogurl,” Warasin Narapat, had been disqualified for breaching competition rules.

Officials stated that Narapat violated provisions in the Esports Technical Manual. The manual explicitly prohibits the use of unauthorized software, modified equipment, or any form of third-party involvement during matches. SEA Games organizers subsequently opened an investigation, and Narapat received the tournament’s harshest sanction: disqualification.

The situation escalated the next day. In the losers’ bracket final on December 16, Thailand were leading Laos 1–0 and still had a clear pathway to the gold-medal match. However, in a decision that stunned both viewers and supporters, the Thailand Esports Federation announced that the entire women’s team would withdraw from the remainder of the competition. Many fans were left shocked and heartbroken, especially given the team’s visible effort and preparation leading into the event.

At the time, “Tokyogurl” denied any wrongdoing. She insisted she had played the match herself, and claimed that intense nerves during the series made her feel unwell, after which she was taken to hospital.

Then came the confession that changed everything.

A Thai esports player known as Cheerio (also called Kong—and identified as Tokyogurl’s boyfriend) posted a statement on TikTok admitting he had competed in her place. He described the decision as selfish, said he would accept full responsibility, and apologized to fans, officials, and teammates who lost their chance to continue competing because of what happened.

“I want to come forward and clarify the issues that occurred during the SEA Games and other tournaments,” he wrote, acknowledging long-running suspicions that third-party stand-ins had occurred in several matches. “I admit it’s true.”

Cheerio explained that the backlash after the incident left him unsure of how to respond, which led to more than two weeks of silence. “I never expected things to go this far and disappoint so many people,” he said, adding that he would accept all criticism and consequences without excuses.

According to regional outlet Baomoi, Cheerio had previously been widely respected within Thailand’s esports community. His admission, however, dealt a severe blow to his reputation—an outcome many described as deeply regrettable for a figure once seen as a trusted competitor.

Sanctions followed swiftly and decisively.

Publisher Garena banned Tokyogurl from all Honor of Kings International competitions starting December 16, 2025. Her team, TALON, terminated her contract immediately. Event organizers also issued a lifetime competitive ban—one of the most severe punishments ever associated with a Thai esports scandal.

Only after Cheerio’s public admission did Tokyogurl acknowledge responsibility. The following morning, she posted a brief apology on Facebook consisting of a single word: “Sorry.” For many observers, the brevity of the message raised questions about whether it could truly address the scale of disappointment felt by teammates and fans.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that Santi Lothong, president of the Asian Electronic Sports Federation and a leader within Thailand’s esports administration, is pursuing legal action against both individuals and has vowed to see the matter through.

The scandal has reignited debate over competitive integrity in esports—both in terms of punishment and prevention. Do you think the penalties were appropriate, or should tournament oversight and verification be even stricter going forward?