transgender billionaire Anne Jakkaphong was sued for a bond fraud worth 30 million baht but did not appear in court. Therefore, the authorities issued an arrest warrant for her.
Before her arrest, she was known as a powerful figure when leading the world's largest beauty organization.
In October 2022, Anne Jakkaphong bought the copyright of the Miss Universe contest for about 20 million USD. The event brought her name to the global "cover" as both a powerful businesswoman and the first transgender woman to own the Miss Universe organization.
Under Ms. Anne, Miss Universe has made many breakthrough changes such as accepting contestants who are married, have children and have transgender people at a wider age.
These changes are in line with the message of acceptance and freedom to express oneself that Ms. Anne, as a transgender person, always represents. The image of a female billionaire associated with the contest is the image of strength, courage and overcoming all barriers.
However, the billionaire's process of running the Miss Universe organization was not smooth. She has been accused of defrauding up to 30 million baht (about more than 20 billion VND) from mobilizing bond capital. Her actions have damaged her reputation and caused disruption to the organization.
A court source said Anne was absent from the final trial, which the court assessed as sign of flight, so an arrest warrant was issued.
Thai media also spread rumors that Ms. Anne converted assets of about 6 billion baht to cryptocurrency and then left Thailand and went to Mexico.
The arrest warrant is not only a personal legal issue for the billionaire, it also affects the message that she and Miss Universe have built.
The mark Ms. Anne left was huge, but along with that were serious legal consequences, making the future of this prestigious beauty queen brand even more unpredictable.
