Bangkok Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Miss Universe Co-Owner
A court in Bangkok has issued an arrest warrant for Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip, a co-owner of the Miss Universe Organization, due to her failure to appear in court regarding a fraud case. The Bangkok South District Court announced the warrant on Wednesday after Jakrajutatip, who had previously been charged with fraud and released on bail in 2023, did not notify the court about her absence during a scheduled hearing on November 21, 2023. The court deemed her a flight risk, prompting the rescheduling of the hearing for December 26, 2023.
Jakrajutatip and her company, JKN Global Group Public Co. Ltd., are facing allegations of defrauding Raweewat Maschamadol, who claims to have lost 30 million baht (approximately $930,362) after investing in corporate bonds sold by the company in 2023. JKN has been experiencing financial difficulties, defaulting on payments to investors since early 2023, and has initiated debt rehabilitation procedures with the Central Bankruptcy Court as of 2024. The company reports total debts of around 3 billion baht (about $93 million).
Background on JKN and Miss Universe
In 2022, JKN acquired the rights to the Miss Universe pageant from IMG Worldwide LLC. The following year, it sold 50% of its shares in the Miss Universe franchise to Legacy Holding Group USA, owned by Mexican businessman Raúl Rocha Cantú. Jakrajutatip, who is a prominent figure in Thailand and openly identifies as a transgender woman, resigned from all positions within JKN in June 2023 after allegations from Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission surfaced, accusing her of falsifying the company’s financial statements.
Despite her resignation, Jakrajutatip remains the largest shareholder of JKN. Her current whereabouts are unclear, as she did not attend the 74th Miss Universe competition, which took place in Bangkok earlier this month. The event faced several controversies, including an incident involving a scolding directed at the newly crowned Miss Universe 2025, Fátima Bosch Fernández of Mexico, on November 19, 2023. Reports indicate that two judges withdrew from the event, with one alleging potential rigging.
In a separate investigation, Thai police are looking into allegations that promotions for the Miss Universe event involved illegal online casino advertising. On November 20, 2023, JKN denied rumors circulating that Jakrajutatip had liquidated the company’s assets and fled the country. However, there has been no official response regarding the arrest warrant, and attempts to reach Jakrajutatip for comment have been unsuccessful.
Jakrajutatip is a well-known celebrity in Thailand, having appeared in various reality shows and being a vocal advocate for transgender rights. The unfolding legal issues surrounding her and JKN raise significant concerns about the future of the Miss Universe Organization and its financial integrity.
