Thai court issues arrest warrant for Miss Universe co-owner
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The South Bangkok Civil Court issued a warrant for Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip on Nov 25.
PHOTO: ST FILE
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BANGKOK - A Thai court has issued an arrest warrant for the media mogul co-owner of the Miss Universe beauty pageant over alleged fraud worth US$930,000 (S$1.2 million), a court official told AFP on Nov 26.
The 2025 Miss Universe contest concluded last week after a streak of scandal, including a tantrum by the host and allegations of sexism.
But after Miss Mexico was crowned winner
The South Bangkok Civil Court issued a warrant for Jakapong on Nov 25 after a plastic surgeon accused her of fraud and concealing information when persuading him to invest in JKN in 2023.
“The defendant invited (the plaintiff) to invest knowing her inability to return the money within the appointed time,” said a court statement shared with AFP on Nov 26.
A verdict in the 30 million baht (S$1.2 million) case was scheduled Nov 25, but Jakapong failed to appear in court and the warrant was issued because her behaviour “could be interpreted as fleeing”, it said.
The court has rescheduled the verdict to Dec 26, but some local media reported Jakapong had left for Mexico, amid rumours of mounting financial woes.
The Miss Universe Organisation said in a statement earlier in 2025 that “these legal proceedings are entirely separate” from its operations.
Miss Universe 2025 wrapped up in Bangkok on Nov 21, after drama stirred by a public bust-up between a male competition host and the eventually victorious Miss Mexico, Ms Fatima Bosch.
In a livestreamed event, the host singled her out for failing to post promotional content and allegedly called her “dumb”, prompting Ms Bosch to lead a walk-out.
He apologised after a weepy news conference
The Miss Universe contest was formerly owned by US President Donald Trump.
Jakapong’s JKN Global Group bought it for US$20 million in 2022, but later sold half its stake to Mexican firm Legacy Holding Group USA for US$16 million.
In 2024, the Stock Exchange of Thailand delisted JKN shares after the company failed to submit financial statements and was found to have falsified them. AFP
