A Thai court has issued an arrest warrant for the media mogul and co-owner of the Miss Universe beauty pageant over alleged fraud worth $930,000, a court official told AFP on Wednesday.
This year’s Miss Universe contest concluded last week following a streak of scandals, including a tantrum by the host and allegations of sexism.
But after Miss Mexico was crowned winner, fresh outrage has targeted Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip, whose JKN Global Group co-owns the contest.
The South Bangkok Civil Court issued a warrant for Jakapong on Tuesday 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 Wednesday.
A verdict in the 30 million baht ($930,000) case was scheduled for Tuesday, but Jakapong failed to appear in court, and the warrant was issued because her behaviour “could be interpreted as fleeing,” it added.
The court has rescheduled the verdict for December 26, but some local media have reported that Jakapong had left for Mexico amid rumours of mounting financial woes.
The Miss Universe Organisation said in a statement earlier this year that “these legal proceedings are entirely separate” from its operations.
Miss Universe 2025 wrapped up in Bangkok on Friday, after drama stirred by a public bust-up between a male competition host and the eventual winner, Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch.
In a livestreamed event, the host singled her out for failing to post promotional content and allegedly called her “dumb,” prompting Bosch to lead a walkout.
He apologised after a tearful news conference, though his behaviour drew the attention of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who praised her compatriot for speaking out.
Meanwhile, It was earlier reported that following the dramatic finale in Bangkok, Olivia Yacé, the Ivorian beauty queen who placed fourth runner-up and won the continental title for Africa and Oceania at Miss Universe 2025, has resigned her title.
While she did not link the resignation to the controversy, Yacé explained that she is stepping away to preserve the principles that guide her life and career.
Describing her resignation as a thoughtful and value-driven decision, Yacé announced her withdrawal from the title of Miss Universe Africa and Oceania and any future association with the Miss Universe Committee.
The Miss Universe contest was formerly owned by US President Donald Trump.
Jakapong’s JKN Global Group bought it for $20 million in 2022 but later sold half its stake to Mexican firm Legacy Holding Group USA for $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.
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