Thai co-owner Miss Universe Jakkaphong ‘Anne’ Jakrajutatip wanted on fraud charges

A court in Thailand has issued an arrest warrant for the co-owner of the Miss Universe Organization in connection with a fraud case.

Jakkaphong “Mother” Jakrajutatip was charged with fraud and released on bail in 2023.

He failed to attend a Bangkok court as required on Tuesday.

According to the Bangkok Southern District Court, he was considered a flight risk because he did not notify the court of his absence.

The court postponed the hearing to December 26.

According to the court statement, a lawsuit was filed against Jakkaphong and his company, JKN Global Group Public Co Ltd, for allegedly defrauding Raweewat Maschamadol by selling the company’s corporate bonds in 2023.

Raweewat said the investment caused him to lose 30 million baht ($1.4 million).

Financially distressed, JKN defaulted on payments to investors from 2023 and began debt rehabilitation procedures before the Central Bankruptcy Court in 2024.

It is stated that the company’s total debt is approximately three billion baht.

JKN acquired the rights to the Miss Universe pageant from IMG Worldwide LLC in 2022.

In 2023, Miss Universe sold 50 percent of its shares to Legacy Holding Group USA, owned by Mexican businessman Raul Rocha Cantu.

Jakkaphong, who is transgender, resigned from all positions at the company in June after being accused by the Thai Securities and Exchange Commission of falsifying the company’s 2023 financial statements.

It remains its largest shareholder.

His whereabouts remain unclear.

She did not participate in the 74th Miss Universe pageant held in Bangkok in early November.

This 2025 pageant has been marred by several problems, including a sharp-tongued rebuke from her Thai organizer to Mexican Fatima Bosch Fernandez, who won the Miss Universe 2025 title on November 19.

It was reported that two jury members left the competition, one of whom claimed that the competition was rigged.

Additionally, Thai police investigated allegations that the promotion of the event involved illegal promotion of online casinos.

On Monday, JKN denied rumors that Jakkaphong had liquidated the company’s assets and fled the country, but there was no immediate reaction to the arrest warrant.

He could not be reached for comment.

Jakkaphong is a well-known celebrity in Thailand who stars in reality shows and has been outspoken about her identity as a transgender woman.