A former Thai esports player and her accomplice have been sentenced to three months in detention for cheating during the 33rd SEA Games in December 2025, a Bangkok court ruled on March 17, 2026. Naphat “Tokyogurl” Warasin and Kong “Cheerio” Sutprom initially received six-month prison sentences, but these were halved due to their confessions and then commuted to detention, according to reports from Sheep Esports and VnExpress.
The pair were found guilty of violating Thailand’s Computer Crime Act of 2007 for a scheme involving screen sharing via Discord. During a women’s Arena of Valor winner bracket final against Vietnam, Tokyogurl allegedly shared her screen with Cheerio, who was located outside the venue, allowing him to remotely play the game on her behalf. The deception was uncovered during the match, prompting an investigation dubbed “Operation Ghostbuster” by the Crime Suppression Division.
Both Tokyogurl and Cheerio confessed to the charges. The court cited the damage to the credibility of esports and Thailand’s image as justification for the detention, despite the reduced sentence. Following the ruling, both individuals were released on bail of 24,000 baht each (approximately $730) pending appeal, as reported by Sheep Esports.
Tokyogurl had gained prominence as a streamer and esports player, even securing a contract with Taiwanese organization Talon Esports. However, the revelation that she had not actually played the games herself exposed a fabricated career. Cheerio, a former professional Arena of Valor player whose career had stalled, allegedly assisted in maintaining the deception, according to Insider Gaming.
The scandal represents a significant embarrassment for Thailand, the host nation of the 33rd SEA Games. Even as the initial potential penalties included up to two years in prison and a $1,200 fine for each defendant, the court’s decision reflects their confessions and the specific circumstances of the case.
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