An arrest warrant has been issued for Jakkaphong ‘Anne’ Jakrajutatip, co-owner of the Miss Universe Organization, after she failed to appear in court for a fraud case. The Bangkok South District Court issued the warrant following her absence from a hearing on Tuesday. Jakrajutatip, a well-known Thai celebrity and openly transgender woman, was initially released on bail after being accused of defrauding an investor in 2023. However, her failure to appear in court and notify officials led to her being classified as a flight risk. The court has rescheduled her hearing for December 26, citing her non-cooperation.
Jakkaphong’s company, JKN Global Group, purchased the Miss Universe Organization in 2022 and later sold 50% of it to Legacy Holding Group USA, owned by Mexican businessman Raúl Rocha Cantú. The company is accused of misleading an investor, Raweewat Maschamadol, during a 2023 corporate-bond deal. Maschamadol claims that JKN misrepresented the company’s financial health, resulting in a loss of approximately $930,000. JKN ceased making investor payments in 2023, effectively leaving the bonds worthless. The firm has faced severe financial trouble, defaulting on payments in 2023 and entering debt rehabilitation in 2024 with obligations totaling around $93 million.
Jakkaphong resigned from all company positions in June after being accused by Thailand’s SEC of falsifying 2023 financial statements, though she remains the largest shareholder of JKN. Her whereabouts are unknown, and she did not attend the 74th Miss Universe competition, which was held in Bangkok earlier this month. JKN has denied allegations that she liquidated the company’s assets and fled the country.
The Miss Universe pageant faced numerous controversies this year, including a public reprimand of Mexico’s winner, Fátima Bosch Fernández, which sparked backlash. Two judges also withdrew from the event, with one hinting at potential score manipulation. Thai authorities separately investigated whether the pageant’s promotional materials illegally advertised online gambling. The situation escalated further when Jamaica’s contestant, Gabrielle Henry, fell off the stage during the evening gown round.
Previously, former President Donald Trump owned the Miss Universe Organization from 1996 until 2015, when he sold it to IMG after NBC severed ties with him during his presidential campaign. The brand has since changed hands multiple times, with IMG Worldwide LLC selling the organization to Jakrajutatip in 2022.