BANGKOK — A Thai court has issued an arrest warrant for Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, the transgender celebrity businesswoman known as Anne Jakkaphong and former co-owner of the Miss Universe Organization, after she failed to appear for her verdict hearing in a fraud case involving 30 million baht (approximately $930,000).
The South Bangkok Criminal Court on Charoen Krung Road had scheduled the verdict reading for November 25, but Jakkaphong failed to appear without providing any explanation. The court ruled that her absence suggested she intended to evade justice and ordered her arrest.
The $903K Fraud Case
The case was filed by Dr. Raweewat Maschamadol against JKN Global Group Public Company Limited (defendant 1) and Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip (defendant 2) on charges of joint fraud through false representation and concealment of facts.
According to court documents, between July 24 and August 8, 2023, the defendants solicited the plaintiff to invest in corporate bonds despite knowing they could not repay the funds as promised due to the company’s poor financial position and inability to meet such obligations. Through this deception, the defendants obtained 30 million baht from the plaintiff.
The court found sufficient grounds to proceed with the case and allowed the second defendant to be released on bail with permission to have the case heard in absentia. After evidence from both sides was presented, the court scheduled the verdict for November 25.
When Jakkaphong failed to appear, the court ordered her arrest, ordered the full forfeiture of her bail bond, ordered the guarantor to pay the fine within 15 days, and rescheduled the verdict reading for December 26.
Financial Troubles and Miss Universe
Anne Jakkaphong made history as the first transgender woman to own the Miss Universe Organization when she purchased it for $20 million in October 2022. However, JKN Global subsequently faced severe financial problems as Thailand’s digital TV business collapsed, along with struggles in the dietary supplement sector.
The company began experiencing a financial crisis in September 2023 after failing to repay a stock loan. Jakkaphong and her sister were forced to sell their shares multiple times to manage mounting debts.
In January 2024, JKN Global announced it had sold a 50% stake in JKN Legacy Inc, which operated the Miss Universe Organization and owned the Miss Universe brand rights, to Mexico’s Legacy Holding Group USA Inc.
In April 2025, JKN announced the appointment of Nawat Itsaragrisil, CEO of the Miss Grand International Organization, as Executive Director of the Miss Universe Organization.
Anne Jakkaphong was forced to resign from all company positions on June 6, 2025, after being charged by Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission. She subsequently stepped down from the Miss Universe Organization, with Raul Rocha Cantu serving as the sole President since then.
Recent Controversies
The November 2025 Miss Universe pageant was overshadowed by controversy when Nawat, who had assumed the role of chairman of the Miss Universe Thailand Host Committee, was accused of bullying Mexican contestant Fatima Bosch during a meeting attended by other contestants. Bosch confronted him and walked out, with numerous other contestants following her lead.
The incident prompted Raul Rocha to reduce Nawat’s role. Despite the turmoil, Fatima Bosch went on to win the Miss Universe 74th crown. The pageant was also shadowed by allegations of vote-rigging after two judges resigned before the final decision.
Allegations of Flight to Mexico
Around the same time, rumors emerged that Anne Jakkaphong had converted 6 billion baht ($186 million) into cryptocurrency and relocated to Mexico with assistance from the current president of the Miss Universe Organization and key business partners.
On November 24, JKN Global issued a statement denying these rumors, attributing delayed debt payments to economic slowdown and cash flow discrepancies rather than fraud. The company stated that investigations by government agencies are ongoing and that no wrongdoing has been established. JKN affirmed its commitment to transparent operations and cooperation with all parties.
The case continues to develop as authorities seek Anne Jakkaphong’s whereabouts ahead of the rescheduled December 26 verdict reading.
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