A Thai court has issued an arrest warrant for Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip, media mogul and co-owner of the Miss Universe beauty pageant, after she allegedly defrauded a plastic surgeon of 30 million baht (approximately $930,000), a court official confirmed to AFP on Wednesday.
The South Bangkok Civil Court said the warrant was issued on Tuesday when Jakapong failed to appear for a scheduled verdict hearing. The plaintiff accused her of concealing critical financial information while persuading him to invest in JKN Global Group in 2023, despite knowing she could not repay the funds within the agreed timeframe.
“The defendant invited the plaintiff to invest knowing her inability to return the money within the appointed time,” the court statement said. Her absence was interpreted as an attempt to flee, prompting immediate issuance of the warrant.
Jakapong’s Absence Fuels Speculation
The court has postponed the verdict to December 26. Local media outlets reported that Jakapong may have left Thailand for Mexico, amid growing rumours surrounding her financial troubles and instability within JKN Global Group.
Miss Universe Turmoil Continues
The arrest warrant comes on the heels of a turbulent year for the Miss Universe Organisation. Miss Universe 2025, held in Bangkok last week, was marred by drama after a male host criticized eventual winner Miss Mexico, Fátima Bosch, on a livestream, prompting her to lead a walk-out. The incident drew international attention, even prompting a response from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
The Miss Universe Organisation earlier clarified that “these legal proceedings are entirely separate” from its operations.
JKN’s Ongoing Financial Struggles
Jakapong’s company, JKN Global Group, purchased the Miss Universe competition from former U.S. President Donald Trump for $20 million in 2022. However, the company later sold half its stake to Mexican firm Legacy Holding Group USA for $16 million.
In 2024, the Stock Exchange of Thailand delisted JKN after the firm failed to submit financial statements and was found to have falsified financial records — compounding concerns about its financial health.
The legal battle now adds substantial pressure on Jakapong and raises questions about the future of both JKN and the Miss Universe brand she helped reshape.
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