Miss Universe co-owner faces arrest

Thai court issues warrant for Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip over fraud charges

BANGKOK:

A Thai court has issued an arrest warrant for the media mogul who co-owns the Miss Universe pageant over alleged fraud worth $930,000, a court official told AFP on Wednesday.

This year's Miss Universe contest ended last week after a run of controversies, including a host's tantrum, accusations of sexism, and stage fall of Miss Jamaica Gabrielle Henry.

But once Miss Mexico claimed the crown, more controversies surfaced with allegations of fixing the result. Besides another new wave of anger focused on Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip, whose JKN Global Group co-owns the event.

The South Bangkok Civil Court issued a warrant for Jakapong after a plastic surgeon accused her of fraud and of withholding 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," a court statement shared with AFP said. A verdict in the 30 million baht ($930,000) case was due on Tuesday, but Jakapong failed to attend the hearing.

The warrant was issued because her conduct "could be interpreted as fleeing", the court noted. The verdict has been rescheduled for December 26, while local media reported that Jakapong had travelled to Mexico amid speculation about worsening financial problems.

The Miss Universe Organisation said earlier this year that "these legal proceedings are entirely separate" from its operations. Miss Universe 2025 concluded in Bangkok on last Friday.

The pageant saw a public clash between a male host and the eventual winner, Fatima Bosch of Mexico. During a live-streamed segment, he singled her out for not posting promotional material and allegedly called her "dumb".

This prompted Bosch to lead a walkout. He later apologised in an emotional press conference, though the episode caught the attention of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who praised Bosch for standing her ground.

After the crowning of Bosch, Miss Palestine Nadeen Ayoub challenged the legitimacy of its results and fan-voting systems. Her allegation landed amid a public denunciation from judge Omar Harfouch, who claimed Miss Mexico's win was predetermined.

The Miss Universe pageant was previously owned by US President Donald Trump. Jakapong's JKN Global Group bought it for $20 million in 2022 before selling half its stake to Mexico's Legacy Holding Group USA for $16 million.