Court issues arrest warrant for Thai co-owner of Miss Universe over ‘$930k fraud’

27 Nov 2025, 17:55 by Jerry Lenbang · TheCable Lifestyle

A Thai court issued an arrest warrant for Jakkaphong ‘Anne’ Jakrajutatip, a co-owner of the Miss Universe Organisation, on Wednesday after she failed to appear at a scheduled hearing in a fraud case.

The Bangkok south district court stated that Jakkaphong did not appear as required on Tuesday and had not notified the court of her absence.

According to the court’s statement, as a result, she was deemed a flight risk, leading to the warrant. The hearing has now been rescheduled for December 26.

Jakkaphong, JKN Global Group Public Co. Ltd., along with her company, is being sued by Raweewat Maschamadol.

He alleged that the company defrauded him in the sale of its corporate bonds in 2023, causing him a loss of 30 million baht (approximately $930,362). Jakkaphong was initially charged with fraud in 2023 and was released on bail.

The legal trouble comes amid significant financial difficulties for JKN Global Group. The company began defaulting on payments to investors in 2023 and initiated debt rehabilitation procedures with the Central Bankruptcy Court in 2024. The company has stated that its total debts amount to about 3 billion baht ($93 million).

JKN had acquired the rights to the Miss Universe pageant from IMG Worldwide LLC in 2022. In a move to manage its financial situation, the company sold a 50% stake in the Miss Universe Organisation in 2023 to Legacy Holding Group USA, a company owned by Mexican businessman Raúl Rocha Cantú.

The arrest warrant adds to the turmoil surrounding the recently concluded Miss Universe 2025 pageant, which was marred by public controversy.

The event was rocked by scandal when the newly crowned winner Fatima Bosch staged a dramatic walkout during a pre-pageant ceremony.

The protest was directed at Nawat Itsaragrisil, the Miss Universe Thailand director, who was captured in a viral clip publicly scolding Bosch for missing promotional activities and calling her a “dumbhead” for following her national director’s orders.

In a show of solidarity, numerous contestants from other countries followed Bosch out of the event.

The controversy deepened just days before the final when two high-profile judges resigned from the panel.

Lebanese-French composer Omar Harfouch resigned after making allegations of “fraud,” “corruption,” and a “secret vote” that manipulated the competition.

Former French footballer Claude Makélélé also stepped down, citing “unforeseen personal reasons”.

Olivia Yace of Côte d’Ivoire has resigned from her role as Miss Universe Africa and Oceania days after placing in the top five at this year’s pageant.

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