Former Thailand esports athletes Naphat Warasin, 29, known as Tokyogurl, and Chaiyo, 23, also known as Cheerio, were arrested and charged on 13 February 2026 for allegedly cheating during the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
According to Bangkok Post, Chaiyo reportedly assisted Naphat by remotely playing her match on 16 December 2025. Authorities discovered the scheme after detecting multiple suspicious login attempts and reviewing chat records that showed the pair were communicating throughout the competition.
Alleged Use Of Unauthorised Software And Shared Credentials
Crime Suppression Division (CSD) commander Phatthanasak Bupphasuwan stated that Naphat and Chaiyo allegedly obtained and disclosed restricted computer access credentials and illegally accessed protected computer data.
Naphat is accused of using unauthorised software, while Chaiyo acted as her proxy player. Investigators found that Naphat had shared her username and password with Chaiyo, who is an experienced semi-professional player. The alleged cheating occurred prior to the Thailand–Vietnam match.
Naphat has denied wrongdoing, claiming she could have won on her own. Following the incident, she was expelled and disqualified from the Thailand women’s esports team.
Digital Evidence And Confession
A police search of the players’ residence in Nonthaburi uncovered digital evidence on their mobile phones. Chaiyo later confessed to acting as Naphat’s proxy, playing the game remotely using software installed on her phone.
The president of the Thailand Esports Federation, Santi Lohtong, condemned the incident, saying it had severely damaged the federation, the national team, and Thailand’s reputation in the global esports arena. Both players have been handed lifetime bans from competitive play.
The Pathumwan Kwaeng Court is scheduled to deliver its sentence on 17 March 2026.
This case has sparked widespread discussion on the integrity of esports competitions and the consequences of digital misconduct at major sporting events.
