A Bangkok court has issued an arrest warrant for Jakkaphong "Anne" Jakrajutatip, the Thai co-owner of the Miss Universe Organization, after she failed to appear for a fraud hearing this week.
Court Proceedings and Bail Breach
The Bangkok South District Court confirmed on Wednesday that it had authorised the arrest warrant after Jakkaphong missed her scheduled court appearance on Tuesday. The court stated that since she provided no notification about her absence, she was considered a flight risk.
This development comes after Jakkaphong was initially charged with fraud in 2023 and subsequently released on bail. The court has now rescheduled the hearing for December 26.
Fraud Allegations and Financial Troubles
According to court documents, Jakkaphong and her company, JKN Global Group Public Co. Ltd., face allegations of defrauding investor Raweewat Maschamadol. The case centres on the sale of corporate bonds in 2023 that allegedly caused Raweewat to lose 30 million baht (£930,362).
The legal troubles compound existing financial difficulties for JKN Global Group. The company began defaulting on investor payments in 2023 and entered debt rehabilitation procedures with the Central Bankruptcy Court in 2024. Court records indicate the company carries total debts of approximately 3 billion baht (£93 million).
Miss Universe Ownership and Recent Controversies
JKN Global Group acquired the rights to the Miss Universe pageant from IMG Worldwide LLC in 2022. In a subsequent move, the company sold 50% of its Miss Universe shares to Legacy Holding Group USA in 2023, which is owned by Mexican businessman Raúl Rocha Cantú.
Jakkaphong, a prominent transgender celebrity in Thailand, resigned from all company positions in June following accusations from Thailand's Securities and Exchange Commission of falsifying the company's 2023 financial statements. Despite her resignation, she remains JKN's largest shareholder.
Her current whereabouts remain unknown. Notably, she was absent from the 74th Miss Universe competition held in Bangkok earlier this month, which itself faced multiple controversies including allegations of rigging and illegal promotion of online casinos.
On Monday, JKN denied rumours that Jakkaphong had liquidated company assets and fled the country, though there has been no immediate response regarding the arrest warrant. Attempts to reach Jakkaphong for comment have been unsuccessful.
