A Thai court has issued an arrest warrant for Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip , the media mogul whose company co-owns the Miss Universe pageant, over an alleged fraud case amounting to $930,000, a court official confirmed to AFP on Wednesday.
The warrant was issued by the South Bangkok Civil Court after a plastic surgeon accused Jakapong of fraud and concealing information when she encouraged him to invest in JKN Global Group in 2023. According to the court statement, Jakapong invited the investor despite knowing she would be unable to return the funds within the agreed time.
A verdict in the 30 million baht case was originally set for Tuesday, but Jakapong did not appear in court. The warrant was issued as her absence “could be interpreted as fleeing,” the court said. The verdict has been rescheduled for December 26, while local media reported that she may have traveled to Mexico amid growing financial troubles.
The controversy follows a turbulent week for Miss Universe 2025, which concluded in Bangkok on Friday. The pageant was marked by a public confrontation between a male host and Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch, who ultimately won the crown. The host had singled her out during a livestream for not posting promotional content and reportedly called her “dumb,” prompting Bosch to walk out. The incident later drew attention from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who commended Bosch for standing up for herself.
The Miss Universe Organization clarified earlier this year that the legal proceedings involving Jakapong are “entirely separate” from its operations.
Jakapong’s JKN Global Group acquired the Miss Universe Organization in 2022 for $20 million before selling half its stake to Mexico’s Legacy Holding Group USA for $16 million. In 2024, the Stock Exchange of Thailand delisted JKN shares after the company failed to submit required financial statements and was found to have falsified them.