A Thai court has issued an arrest warrant for Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, media entrepreneur and co-owner of the Miss Universe pageant, over an alleged $930,000 fraud case.
A court official confirmed to AFP on Wednesday that the South Bangkok Civil Court approved the warrant after a plastic surgeon accused Jakapong of misleading him into investing 30 million baht in JKN Global Group in 2023.
According to the court’s statement, Jakapong allegedly persuaded the investor to commit funds while knowing she would be unable to repay the money within the agreed timeframe. The court said her failure to appear for Tuesday’s verdict signalled behaviour “that could be interpreted as fleeing.”
The verdict has been rescheduled for December 26. Meanwhile, Thai media outlets have reported that Jakapong may have travelled to Mexico amid rumours of worsening financial troubles within her company.
The Miss Universe Organisation has distanced itself from the legal case, issuing a statement earlier this year that the proceedings are “entirely separate” from the pageant’s operations.
The arrest warrant comes on the heels of a turbulent Miss Universe 2025 competition held in Bangkok last week. The event was overshadowed by controversies, including a public confrontation between a male host and Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, who eventually won the crown.
In a livestream, the host allegedly called Bosch “dumb” for not posting promotional content, prompting her to stage a walk-out. His remarks attracted criticism from viewers and even drew comment from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who praised Bosch for speaking up. The host later issued a tearful apology.
Jakapong’s JKN Global Group acquired Miss Universe for $20 million in 2022. In 2023, the company sold half its stake to Legacy Holding Group USA for $16 million.
The following year, the Stock Exchange of Thailand delisted JKN shares after the company failed to submit financial statements and was found to have falsified accounts.
The unfolding legal case adds to the growing list of troubles surrounding the pageant’s management and ownership.