Thai court issues arrest warrant for Miss Universe co-owner / Photo: Lillian SUWANRUMPHA - AFP/File
-
Iran says Hormuz closed as US-Iran deal falters over Lebanon
-
Counter-terror cops probe suspected anti-Muslim 'attacks' in Edinburgh
-
Bagnaia scorches to Czech MotoGP sprint victory, Bezzecchi suspended
-
Clark begins with bogey as McIlroy charges at US Open
-
Bolivia declares state of emergency, deploys military to quell protests
-
Specter of military escalation hangs over Colombia vote
-
Heavy metal: French town hosts medieval combat cage fights
-
Jamieson strikes as New Zealand eye series-levelling win despite Root heroics
-
Dutch swat Sweden as Germany, Ivory Coast eye World Cup knockout rounds
-
Netherlands thump Sweden in Houston to get World Cup liftoff
-
Scheffler opens with bogeys while McIlroy pars at windy US Open
-
Jamieson strikes as New Zealand eye series-levelling win against England
-
Brazil turn corner but tougher World Cup tests await
-
Ronaldinho coming out of retirement to join Italian 3rd division side
-
Cerundolo sees off Nakashima to set up Queen's final with Paul
-
Real Madrid say no contact with Bayern's Olise
-
Fritz takes down Zverev again to reach Halle final
-
Heartbreak for Japanese ace Satono Reve as Almeraq wins Royal Ascot thriller
-
Hendy quick-fire double sweeps Northampton to Prem title
-
Injured Doris out of Ireland's Nations Championship squad
-
'Not ridiculous': US dreams of World Cup glory after big wins
-
Meloni hits back as Trump escalates G7 photo spat
-
Kolbe star goal kicker as Springboks put 80 past Barbarians
-
Pogacar pips Van der Poel to Swiss Tour TT win
-
Bolivia declares state of emergency and begins removing protester roadblocks
-
Ukraine's Zelensky, top officials return Polish awards in WWII row
-
Cerundolo sees off Nakashima to reach Queen's final
-
Spanish judge bans PM's wife from leaving country
-
Jamieson double rocks England at start of record run-chase
-
Pegula powers past Sabalenka to reach Berlin final
-
Funeral for art giant David Hockney already taken place: publicist
-
Krishna and Jaiswal power India to ODI sweep against Afghanistan
-
Red heat alert issued for third of France, alcohol banned at music festival
-
Bagnaia scorches to Czech MotoGP sprint victory, Bezzecchi crashes
-
Iran says Hormuz closed again after Israel strikes Lebanon
-
Trump escalates spat with Italy’s Meloni over G7 photo claim
-
New Zealand set England record 463 to win second Test
-
Driver killed, 28 in hospital as UK train collision probed
-
Diplomats hold US-Iran preparatory discussions at Swiss retreat
-
New Zealand pile on the runs to leave England facing record chase in 2nd Test
-
Shahidi hits ton but India bowl out Afghanistan for 218
-
Court bans Spanish PM's wife from leaving country
-
Israel strikes south Lebanon despite truce announced with Hezbollah
-
Japan's Ogura smashes own track record to take Czech MotoGP pole
-
Hurricanes blow away Chiefs in record-breaking Super Rugby final
-
Germany meet Ivory Coast in high-stakes World Cup clash, Sweden face Dutch
-
Ancient Greek theatre revives legendary Callas opera Medea
-
Indian guru urges broader view of yoga
-
Portugal's unofficial exorcism fever worries Church
-
Paraguay's Almiron sent off under new FIFA 'mouth-covering' rule
Thai court issues arrest warrant for Miss Universe co-owner
A Thai court has issued an arrest warrant for the media mogul 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 after a streak of scandal including a tantrum by the host and allegations of sexism.
But after Miss Mexico was crowned winner, a fresh outrage has hit 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 Tuesday, but Jakapong failed to appear in court and the warrant was issued because her behaviour "could be interpreted as fleeing", it said.
The court has rescheduled the verdict to December 26, but some local media reported Jakapong had left for Mexico amid rumours of mounting financial woes.
The Miss Universe Organization said in a statement earlier this year "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 eventually victorious 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 walk-out.
He apologised after a weepy news conference, though his behaviour drew the attention of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum who praised her compatriot for speaking out.
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.
R.Lee--AT
