BANGKOK — A Thai court announced on Wednesday that an arrest warrant has been issued for one of the co-owners of the Miss Universe Organization due to a fraud allegation.
Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip, who previously faced fraud charges and was granted bail in 2023, did not attend a scheduled court appearance in Bangkok on Tuesday.
The Bangkok South District Court stated that her failure to notify the court of her absence has led them to consider her a potential flight risk.
The court has now set a new hearing date for December 26.
According to court documents, Jakkaphong and her firm, JKN Global Group Public Co. Ltd., are accused of defrauding Raweewat Maschamadol through the sale of corporate bonds in 2023. Raweewat claims this investment resulted in a loss of 30 million baht (approximately $930,362).
JKN, which has been facing financial challenges, began defaulting on payment obligations to investors in 2023 and initiated debt restructuring proceedings with the Central Bankruptcy Court in 2024. The company reports owing roughly 3 billion baht (around $93 million).
JKN acquired the rights to the Miss Universe pageant from IMG Worldwide LLC in 2022. In 2023, it sold 50% of its Miss Universe shares to Legacy Holding Group USA, which is owned by a Mexican businessman, Raúl Rocha Cantú.
Jakkaphong, who is transgender, resigned from all of the company’s positions in June after being accused by Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission of falsifying the company’s 2023 financial statements. She remains its largest shareholder.
Her whereabouts remain unclear. She did not appear at the 74th Miss Universe competition, which was held in Bangkok earlier this month.
This year’s competition was marred by various problems, including a sharp-tongued scolding by a Thai organizer of Fátima Bosch Fernández of Mexico, who was crowned Miss Universe 2025 on Nov. 19.
Two judges reportedly dropped out, with one suggesting that there was an element of rigging to the contest. Separately, Thai police investigated allegations that publicity for the event included illegal promotion of online casinos.
On Monday, JKN denied rumors that Jakkaphong had liquidated the company’s assets and fled the country, but there has been no immediate reaction regarding the arrest warrant. She could not be reached for comment.
Jakkaphong is a well-known celebrity in Thailand who has starred in reality shows and is outspoken about her identity as a transgender woman.
