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Associated Press

A court in Thailand said on Wednesday that it has issued an arrest warrant for a co-owner of the Miss Universe Organization in connection with a fraud case.
Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip was charged with fraud then released on bail in 2023. She failed to appear as required in a Bangkok court on Tuesday. Since she did not notify the court about her absence, she was deemed to be a flight risk, according to a statement from the Bangkok South District Court.
The court rescheduled the hearing for December 26.
According to the court’s statement, Jakkaphong and her company, JKN Global Group, were sued for allegedly defrauding Raweewat Maschamadol in selling him the company’s corporate bonds in 2023.

Raweewat says the investment caused him to lose 30 million baht (US$930,000).
Financially troubled JKN defaulted on payments to investors beginning in 2023 and began debt rehabilitation procedures with the Central Bankruptcy Court in 2024. The company says it has debts totalling about 3 billion baht (US$93 million).
The Miss Universe Organization said in a statement earlier this year, “these legal proceedings are entirely separate” from its operations.
JKN acquired the rights to the Miss Universe pageant from IMG Worldwide in 2022. In 2023, it sold 50 per cent of its Miss Universe shares to Legacy Holding Group USA, which is owned by a Mexican businessman, Raul Rocha Cantu.

Jakkaphong 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 organiser of Fatima Bosch Fernandez of Mexico, who was crowned Miss Universe 2025 on November 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.


The Miss Universe contest was formerly owned by US President Donald Trump.
On Monday, JKN denied rumours 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.
Additional reporting by Agence France-Presse


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Thai court issues arrest warrant for Miss Universe co-owner in fraud case

Transgender Thai business tycoon Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip poses for a photo after a news conference in Bangkok, Thailand in October 2022. Photo: AP

Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip arrives on stage during the Miss Universe Extravaganza in 2022. Photo: AFP

Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch (left) reacts while she is being crowned as Miss Universe 2025 by Miss Universe 2024 Victoria Kjaer Theilvig of Denmark earlier this month. Photo: EPA

As more chaos plagues Miss Universe pageant, is the ‘drama’ all for show?

Thai businesswoman Jakapong “Anne” Jakrajutatip during the Miss Universe competition in New Orleans in 2023. She stepped down from the Miss Universe Organisation in October. Photo: AFP

(From left) Top five finalists Miss Ivory Coast Olivia Yace, Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch, Miss Venezuela Stephany Abasali, Miss Philippines Ahtisa Manalo and Miss Thailand Praveenar Singh compete during the Miss Universe pageant in Thailand on Friday. Miss Mexico went on to win the crown. Photo: EPA

Uproar at Miss Universe event in Thailand over local organiser’s ‘dumb’ insult

Miss Universe Thailand’s host organiser Nawat Itsaragrisil has come under criticism for his “malicious” comments targeting several of the competition’s delegates at an event in Bangkok on Tuesday. Photo: YouTube/YouSawClipz

A social media post shared by reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark. Photo: Instagram / victoriaakjaer 

A walkout by Miss Universe delegates following “malicious” criticisms by Miss Universe Thailand’s host organiser Nawat Itsaragrisil at an event in Bangkok on Tuesday. Photo: YouTube/YouSawClipz

Mexico’s Fatima Bosch takes Miss Universe crown at chaotic pageant in Thailand

Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch celebrates winning the Miss Universe pageant in Nonthaburi, Thailand, on Friday. Photo: AP

Ahtisa Manalo of the Philippines takes part in the Miss Universe pageant. Photo: Reuters

Contestants take part in the Miss Universe pageant. Photo: EPA

Jamaican model hospitalised after Miss Universe stage fall in Thailand

Miss Jamaica Gabrielle Henry walks on stage during the Miss Universe national costume presentation in Nonthaburi, Thailand, on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Rigging scandal roils Miss Universe as finalists ‘pre-picked’ ahead of Thailand event

Contestants attend the Miss Universe official welcome event in Bangkok, Thailand, on November 5. Photo: EPA

Musician Omar Harfouch. Photo: Instagram/omarharfouch

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Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip is wanted for US$930,000 fraud, capping a week of contest scandals and rigging allegations


Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip is wanted for US$930,000 fraud, capping a week of contest scandals and rigging allegations.


Thai court issues arrest warrant for Miss Universe co-owner in fraud case

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip is wanted for US$930,000 fraud, capping a week of contest scandals and rigging allegations

Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip is wanted for US$930,000 fraud, capping a week of contest scandals and rigging allegations