"Shocking the esports world, the Crime Suppression Division raided three locations and arrested Tokyogurl and Cheerio for colluding in cheating during the SEA Games ROV event, leading to the entire team’s disqualification. Officials confirmed that breaking competition rules was insufficient alone; the acts also violated the Computer Crime Act, carrying penalties of imprisonment and fines. The court scheduled the verdict for 17 March 2026." Tags: [Esports, Cheating, SEA Games, Computer Crime Act, Arrest, Court, Thailand]
At 10:00 a.m. on 13 Feb 2026 at the Crime Suppression Division headquarters, Pol. Maj. Gen. Phatthanasak Bubphasukwan, Commander of the division, together with Pol. Col. Pathak Khwanna, Deputy Commander; Pol. Col. Thanawat Hinyokhin, Chief of Division 5; Pol. Lt. Col. Kamnuan Jananant, Deputy Chief Investigator Division 5; Pol. Sgt. Maj. Chanakan Burapaka, Investigator Division 5; Pol. Lt. Nonthakorn Nantanoi, Deputy Investigator Division 5; along with Santi Lothong, President of the Esports Association of Thailand, and Panupong Ongkunarak, Secretary-General of the Association, held a press conference on the "Ghost Buster: SEA Games Medium Busting" operation after raiding three targets in Nonthaburi and Nakhon Phanom provinces.Tags: [Police Raid, Crime Suppression Division, Esports Association, Investigation, Thailand]
They summoned Ms. Napat Warasin, known as Tokyogurl, 29, a former Thai national esports player, and Mr. Chaiyo, known as Cheerio, 23, a prominent gamer, to face charges of "conspiring to unlawfully access computer systems specifically protected by others and improperly disclose such information causing potential harm, and unauthorized access to computer data with special protective measures not intended for them."Tags: [Arrest, Charges, Unauthorized Access, Esports Players, Thailand]
Pol. Maj. Gen. Phatthanasak explained the case originated from the 33rd SEA Games (SEA Games 2025) women's team Arena of Valor (RoV) competition held between 15–16 Dec 2025 at Sala Phra Kiao, Chulalongkorn University. The match between Thailand and Vietnam revealed cheating. The misconduct by Ms. Napat (Tokyogurl) and Mr. Chaiyo (Cheerio) was not just ordinary game cheating but a crime damaging national reputation and credibility. This led to the immediate disqualification of the Thai national team, prompting the Esports Association of Thailand to file a complaint with the Crime Suppression Division.Tags: [SEA Games, Cheating, Esports Crime, National Team, Disqualification]
By 4 Feb, police had gathered sufficient evidence to obtain search warrants for three locations: first, Mr. Chaiyo’s residence in Nakhon Phanom province; second, his dormitory in Bang Krasor Subdistrict, Nonthaburi; and third, Ms. Napat’s condominium in Sai Ma Subdistrict, Nonthaburi.Tags: [Search Warrants, Evidence Collection, Residences, Police Operation]
During the searches, Ms. Napat and Mr. Chaiyo were found along with evidence including mobile phones, IP data, and chat logs confirming the wrongdoing. Mr. Chaiyo admitted that at the SEA Games, winning gold would earn a new iPhone, while losing meant minor rewards such as rent or fuel money. He declined to comment on their personal relationship but confirmed a business partnership with mutual benefits.Tags: [Evidence, Confession, Rewards, Partnership, Investigation]
Pol. Maj. Gen. Phatthanasak further warned esports athletes about the criminal liability under the Computer Crime Act for using unauthorized devices, which carries imprisonment and fines and results in a permanent criminal record. Representing the national team is a high honor requiring integrity; cheating tarnishes personal and national reputations. He emphasized that victories gained through cheating are not honorable and bring shame to the individual and family.Tags: [Warning, Esports Integrity, Computer Crime Act, Criminal Penalties, National Representation]
Pol. Lt. Nonthakorn stated the case began when teammates noticed irregularities during training, such as screen switching by the suspects, which they reported to their coach. Upon questioning, Ms. Napat initially denied wrongdoing, claiming Mr. Chaiyo only assisted by observing gameplay, not playing in her stead. On 14 Dec, before the actual competition, the Thai national team held another practice where Ms. Napat shared her username and password with Mr. Chaiyo to test account access.Tags: [Investigation, Training Irregularities, Denial, Account Sharing, Esports Team]
On 15 Dec, four countries—Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, and Thailand—competed. Ms. Napat had planned for Mr. Chaiyo to play in matches against certain teams while she played others. During the first round against Vietnam, she sent login credentials to Mr. Chaiyo as a test for the second round. However, due to technical issues before the second match, she could not send the credentials. Suspicious behavior observed by referees led to banning the Discord program Ms. Napat used, disqualifying her, and replacing her with a substitute player. Mr. Chaiyo confessed to having played on her behalf multiple times before national team trials.Tags: [Competition, Match-Fixing, Technical Issues, Disqualification, Confession]
Pol. Lt. Col. Kamnuan reported that evidence showed both suspects violated rule 9.4.3, which prohibits unauthorized access to accounts and use of cheating or enhancement software that provides unfair advantages. Violations result in competition disqualification. Moreover, their actions constituted criminal offenses under the Computer Crime Act, punishable by up to two years imprisonment and fines up to 4,000 baht, or both. The case file was forwarded to the public prosecutor, and charges filed at Pathumwan District Court.Tags: [Rule Violation, Criminal Charges, Computer Crime Act, Prosecution, Court]
The court scheduled the verdict for both defendants on 17 March 2026. Interrogations revealed that Ms. Napat previously hired Mr. Chaiyo to play on her behalf for 300–500 baht per session, with multiple sessions monthly, totaling several thousand baht per month.Tags: [Court Date, Verdict, Payments, Proxy Play, Evidence]
Santi, President of the Esports Association of Thailand, disclosed that this was the first time they saw such alarming details. He apologized for the incident, which should not have occurred. Esports features many games, including ROV with various formats; the 5-player team event is most popular and was included in the SEA Games for the first time as a women’s team event. Thailand, as host, was proud to include this category.Tags: [Esports Association, Apology, SEA Games, Women’s Team, Thailand Hosting]
He explained that the SEA Games and other events under the Olympic Council of Asia have featured esports five times, excluding demonstration events in Indonesia. Thai athletes have consistently brought honor to the country, including this time by winning gold. Without this scandal, they could proudly celebrate esports as a source of national pride. As President of the Asian Esports Federation, he stated Thailand refuses to tolerate cheating and immediately acted upon discovering it. However, international adjudication involves complex legal issues, requiring about one night to finalize the decision. At 10 a.m. the next day, Thailand announced withdrawal, with remaining athletes voluntarily withdrawing to uphold national honor despite their disappointment.Tags: [Esports Federation, SEA Games History, Cheating Response, Withdrawal, National Honor]
“The incident shows that athletes were not only practicing for competition but also for cheating, which is outside our training standards. Anyone attempting such misconduct is not truly playing the game. When you act correctly, you are officially respected; when you act wrongly, you must accept serious consequences,” he said.Tags: [Sportsmanship, Ethics, Consequences, Esports Training, Statement]
Santi further warned that regardless of medals won on that day, they would not feel pride, as such victories are not genuine but results of hunger for fame. He urged gamers aspiring to become esports athletes or professionals to recognize that their skills are valuable assets for the future. Engaging in illegal acts or self-sabotage harms both the esports and gaming industries. He implored those considering cheating to desist and called on the public to understand the many honest gamers who contribute positively to the economy and society.Tags: [Warning, Career Advice, Integrity, Public Appeal, Esports Industry]
Regarding possible involvement of others, Santi confirmed only two individuals committed the offense but admitted laxity by coaches in their duties. He apologized for allowing cheating to occur, noting that although efforts to prevent cheating have been ongoing, this was the first time technology was employed in competitions to produce clear evidence.Tags: [Responsibility, Coaching, Prevention, Technology, Apology]
Concerning the phone used in cheating, Santi explained that typically two phones are provided to athletes: one for practice and one sealed for use only during competition. Ms. Napat will receive a lifetime ban, while Mr. Chaiyo, not a member of the association, will be barred from all association activities permanently.Tags: [Equipment, Sanctions, Lifetime Ban, Esports Association, Penalties]