A cheating controversy has rocked the Southeast Asian Games’ esports competition after a Thai player was expelled mid-tournament, prompting the withdrawal of her entire team from the event in Bangkok.
Tournament organizers confirmed that Thai Arena of Valor player Warasin Naphat was disqualified after investigators found conclusive evidence that she used unauthorized third-party software or hardware modifications during the opening game of a women’s match on Monday.
The violation led to a personal penalty that barred her from all remaining esports competitions at the Games.
The decision was announced in a formal notice released by the Thailand Esports Federation, which acknowledged the ruling and accepted the sanctions imposed by SEA Games officials. Adding to the controversy, local media reported that Warasin was also captured on live broadcast making an obscene gesture during the match, an incident that further drew scrutiny to Thailand’s campaign.
In response to the ruling, the Thailand Esports Federation announced that the entire Arena of Valor women’s team would withdraw from the SEA Games. Federation president Santi Lothong issued a public apology, stressing that the organization would not tolerate actions that damage the integrity of competitive gaming.
He said the team deeply regretted the incident, emphasizing that the federation’s priority was protecting the credibility of esports, regardless of who was involved.
Esports made its SEA Games debut in 2019 and has since grown into a major medal event. This year’s program features competitions in FC Online, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Free Fire, and Arena of Valor, drawing wide regional interest and strong viewership.
The esports controversy unfolded against a tense backdrop for the Games, which officially opened last week and run until December 20 across Bangkok and the nearby province of Chonburi. The regional sporting meet has been overshadowed by recent border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, leading Phnom Penh to withdraw its athletes citing safety concerns.
Despite the challenges, competition across multiple sports continues, with host Thailand currently leading the medal standings, followed by Indonesia and Vietnam.