As more chaos plagues Miss Universe pageant, is the ‘drama’ all for show?

In the latest controversy, former Miss Universe CEO Jakapong ‘Anne’ Jakrajutatip is accused of fleeing to Mexico to avoid her legal problems

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Thai businesswoman Jakapong “Anne” Jakrajutatip during the Miss Universe competition in New Orleans in 2023. She stepped down from the Miss Universe Organisation in October. Photo: AFP

Published: 4:32pm, 25 Nov 2025Updated: 7:51pm, 25 Nov 2025

Controversy continues to plague Thailand’s hosting of this year’s Miss Universe beauty pageant days after the winner was crowned, but one contestant believes that some of the earlier “drama” was all for show.

In the latest development, a Thai activist has accused Jakapong “Anne” Jakrajutatip, the former CEO of JKN Global Group and Miss Universe Organisation, of fleeing to Mexico to avoid her legal problems.

The transgender celebrity businesswoman bought the Miss Universe pageant for US$20 million in October 2022 but had to sell half of her stake to Mexican tycoon Raul Rocha Cantu in January last year due to financial struggles.

In June, she resigned from JKN after being charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission for falsifying company records, Khaosod reported. She stepped down from the Miss Universe Organisation in October.

Thai PBS reported that JKN was currently under an automatic stay following Jakapong’s business rehabilitation filing in 2023.

In a social media broadcast, political activist Sondhi Limthongkul accused Jakapong of relocating to Mexico to evade the rehabilitation plan and other legal obligations.

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