The Bangkok South District Court reportedly issued an arrest warrant for the co-owner of the Miss Universe pageant, Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip.
Jakrajutatip, who is transgender, was charged with fraud and eventually released on bail in 2023, but failed to appear in a Bangkok court Tuesday, according to The New York Post.
Jakrajutatip allegedly did not notify the court about his absence and was considered a flight risk, the outlet reported, citing a statement from the court.
Thai owner of the Miss Universe pageant Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip (C) arrives for the 71st Miss Universe competition at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 14, 2023. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP) (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)
The hearing was pushed to Dec. 26.
The court’s statement claimed Jakrajutatip and his company, JKN Global Group Public Co. Ltd., were sued for allegedly defrauding Raweewat Maschamadol by selling him the company’s corporate bonds in 2023. Maschamadol alleged the investment resulted in him losing 30 million baht, the equivalent of $930,362, according to the New York Post.
JKN obtained the rights to the Miss Universe pageant from IMG Worldwide LLC in 2022, the outlet reported. In the following year, it sold 50% of its Miss Universe shares to Legacy Holding Group USA, which is owned by Mexican businessman Raúl Rocha Cantú.
The New York Post reported that JKN denied claims that Jakrajutatip had liquidated the company’s assets and left the country.
Thai businesswoman and owner of Miss Universe pageant Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip speaks during the 71st Miss Universe competition at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 14, 2023. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP) (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)
Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission previously accused Jakrajutatip of falsifying the company’s 2023 financial statements. Jakrajutatip reportedly resigned from all of the company’s positions in June after the allegations were made, but he remains the corporation’s largest shareholder. (RELATED: Miss Jamaica Gabrielle Henry Takes Terrifying Plunge Off Miss Universe Stage, Requires Stretcher)
Jakrajutatip’s whereabouts remain unknown at the time of publication. He was notably absent from the 74th Miss Universe competition, which was held in Bangkok Nov. 21.
The pageant was plagued with issues.
An organizer was removed from the competition after allegedly scolding Miss Mexico, Fátima Bosch, triggering a walkout by several other contestants in a show of solidarity. Days later, two judges dropped out amid allegations of rigging. The competition faced yet another setback when Miss Jamaica took a serious fall off the edge of the runway and was stretchered out of the facility and rushed to hospital, where she currently remains.
Jakrajutatip is a recognizable, well-known celebrity in Thailand.
