Thai Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Miss Universe Co-Owner

A Thai court has issued an arrest warrant for Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip, the co-owner of the Miss Universe beauty pageant, in relation to an alleged fraud case involving 30 million baht (approximately $930,000). The warrant was issued on December 26, 2023, by the South Bangkok Civil Court after Jakapong failed to appear for a scheduled verdict hearing. This incident follows a series of controversies surrounding this year’s Miss Universe contest, which concluded last week.

According to reports, a plastic surgeon accused Jakapong of fraudulently convincing him to invest in her company, JKN Global Group, in 2023. The court stated that Jakapong invited the plaintiff to invest while being aware that she would not be able to return the funds within the agreed timeframe. Her absence from court proceedings led the judge to interpret her actions as an attempt to evade legal responsibility.

The Miss Universe contest has faced public scrutiny recently, particularly after an incident involving the host and the eventual winner, Fatima Bosch from Mexico. During the event, the male host publicly criticized Bosch for not promoting the pageant adequately, reportedly labeling her “dumb.” The situation escalated, resulting in Bosch leading a walk-out, which captured the attention of Claudia Sheinbaum, the President of Mexico, who commended Bosch for standing up against the disrespect.

Following the controversy, the Miss Universe Organization emphasized that the legal issues concerning Jakapong are separate from the pageant’s operations. The organization previously sold the Miss Universe brand to Jakapong’s JKN Global Group for $20 million in 2022, later divesting half of its stake to a Mexican firm, Legacy Holding Group USA, for $16 million.

In a related development, the Stock Exchange of Thailand delisted JKN shares in 2024 after the company failed to submit required financial statements, with investigations revealing falsification of these documents. The recent arrest warrant adds to the growing concerns over Jakapong’s financial dealings.

The Miss Universe contest has a history of high-profile ownership, having previously been owned by former US President Donald Trump. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Jakapong’s legal troubles will impact the future of the pageant and the organization as a whole.