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Arrest Warrant Issued for Miss Universe Co-Owner in Thailand Amid Fraud Allegations
Bangkok, Thailand – A court in Thailand has issued an arrest warrant for Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip, a prominent Thai business tycoon and co-owner of the Miss Universe Organization, in connection with an ongoing fraud case. The warrant was issued Wednesday after Jakrajutatip failed to appear for a scheduled court hearing in Bangkok on Tuesday.
Jakrajutatip was initially charged with fraud in 2023 and subsequently released on bail. The Bangkok South District Court stated that her absence without notification led to her being deemed a flight risk, prompting the issuance of the arrest warrant. The next hearing in the case has been rescheduled for December 26.
The legal action stems from a lawsuit filed by Raweewat Maschamadol, who alleges that Jakrajutatip and her company, JKN Global Group Public Co. Ltd., defrauded him in 2023 through the sale of the company’s corporate bonds. Maschamadol claims to have lost $930,362 from this investment.
JKN Global Group has faced significant financial troubles, defaulting on payments to investors starting in 2023 and initiating debt rehabilitation procedures with the Central Bankruptcy Court in 2024. The company reports total debts amounting to approximately $93 million.
Jakrajutatip, a well-known celebrity in Thailand recognized for her reality show appearances and her outspoken advocacy as a transgender woman, acquired the rights to the Miss Universe pageant from IMG Worldwide LLC in 2022. In 2023, JKN sold 50% of its Miss Universe shares to Legacy Holding Group USA, owned by Mexican businessman Raúl Rocha Cantú.
In June, Jakrajutatip resigned from all company positions following accusations by Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission of falsifying JKN’s 2023 financial statements. Despite her resignation, she remains the company’s largest shareholder.
Her current whereabouts are unknown. Notably, she was absent from the 74th Miss Universe competition held in Bangkok earlier this month. That event itself faced various issues, including public criticism from a Thai organizer directed at winner Fátima Bosch Fernández of Mexico, reports of two judges withdrawing due to alleged rigging, and a police investigation into claims of illegal online casino promotion in event publicity.
On Monday, JKN denied rumors that Jakrajutatip had liquidated company assets and fled the country. However, there has been no immediate official reaction from the company regarding the newly issued arrest warrant, and Jakrajutatip could not be reached for comment.