A Thai court has issued an arrest warrant for Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip, the media entrepreneur whose JKN Global Group co-owns the Miss Universe pageant. The warrant was issued after a plastic surgeon accused her of fraud involving $930,000, a court official confirmed to AFP on Wednesday.
Fraud Allegations Lead to Court Warrant
According to the South Bangkok Civil Court, Jakapong allegedly persuaded the plaintiff to invest in JKN in 2023 while concealing crucial financial information, despite knowing she could not return the money within the agreed time.
The court was set to deliver its verdict on Tuesday in the 30 million baht ($930,000) case. However, Jakapong did not appear, prompting the court to issue an arrest warrant, noting that her absence “could be interpreted as fleeing”. The verdict has now been rescheduled for December 26.
Reports in local media suggest Jakapong may have travelled to Mexico amid growing rumours about her financial troubles.
The Miss Universe Organisation clarified earlier this year that these legal proceedings are entirely separate from its operations.
Miss Universe Turmoil Adds to the Controversy
The legal developments come just days after the Miss Universe 2025 competition concluded in Bangkok following a series of controversies. This year’s event was overshadowed by a public confrontation between a male host and the eventual winner, Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch.
During a livestream, the host criticised Bosch for not posting promotional content and allegedly called her “dumb”. In response, Bosch led a walkout. The host later apologised in an emotional press conference, and the incident even drew a reaction from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who commended Bosch for standing up for herself.
The Miss Universe pageant, once owned by former US President Donald Trump, was purchased by Jakapong’s JKN Global Group in 2022 for $20 million. The company later sold half its stake to Mexico’s Legacy Holding Group USA for $16 million.
In 2024, JKN faced major financial setbacks when the Stock Exchange of Thailand delisted its shares after the company failed to file mandatory financial statements and was found to have falsified documents.
