Miss Universe owner files for bankruptcy in Thailand

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 Jan. 14, 2023. Thai media company JKN Global Group that owns the Miss Universe beauty pageant brand said on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, it has filed for bankruptcy while it tries to resolve a “liquidity problem.” TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP

BANGKOK, Thailand—The Thai media company that owns the Miss Universe beauty pageant brand said on Thursday, Nov. 9, it has filed for bankruptcy while it tries to resolve a “liquidity problem.”

JKN Global Group made the announcement in a statement to the Thai Stock Exchange, two months after it missed a deadline to repay bonds worth around $12 million.

The company, owned by media mogul and transgender rights campaigner Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip, bought the pageant—previously owned by former US president Donald Trump—in 2022 for $20 million.

JKN’s statement said its board of directors agreed on Tuesday to submit a business rehabilitation plan to the kingdom’s bankruptcy court.

“Submitting the rehabilitation petition will effectively solve the Company’s liquidity problem under legal mechanism and provide fair protection to all stakeholders,” the statement said.

Operations will continue under the plan, it added.

JKN’s share price has dropped by nearly 80 percent over the past 12 months, standing at 0.77 baht on Thursday.