Miss Universe Thailand faces pageant eligibility dispute

Miss Universe Thailand winner Tharina Botes could be prevented from competing at the global Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico in November, amid a dispute over national franchise rights.

JKN Universe LLC, which holds rights to the Miss Universe brand, says it does not recognise the Miss Universe Thailand franchise arrangement for 2025-29. It has also challenged agreements covering Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia and Singapore for 2026.

The six contestants, including Thai-South African model and entrepreneur Ms Tharina, would not be eligible for the 75th Miss Universe competition if JKN Universe's position is upheld. Ms Tharina was crowned Miss Universe Thailand on August 23, 2026.

Franchise rights at the centre of dispute

The current holder of the five-year Miss Universe Thailand licence is Thai media personality and businessman Nawat Itsaragrisil, through his Miss Grand International (MGI) pageant organisation.

JKN Global Group, a Thailand-based marketing company, acquired the Miss Universe Organization in 2022 in a deal reported as worth copy4 million. Financial pressure arising from that transaction later led it to sell a 50% stake to Legacy Holding Group USA.

The Miss Universe Organization has subsidiaries called MU East and MU West, responsible for promotion and brand development in their respective regions. MU East appointed Singapore-based Miss Universe Eastern Pte Ltd to oversee Southeast Asia, with Mr Nawat serving as its chief executive.

However, JKN Universe says Miss Universe Eastern has no authority to grant rights to operate the Miss Universe brand in any territory. It says the company cannot grant, transfer, sublicense or otherwise confer rights relating to the brand.

According to JKN Universe, any sponsorship deals, national rights, franchise agreements or other commercial arrangements purportedly made by Miss Universe Eastern are unauthorised and invalid from the outset.

Financial claims also challenged

JKN Universe also accused Mr Nawat of publicly sharing internal financial information about the Miss Universe organisation that had not been audited or independently verified.

It said “false, misleading or incomplete information” about the company's financial status had subsequently circulated on social media, potentially damaging the Miss Universe brand.

Miss Universe Thailand, which is operated under Miss Grand International, later issued a statement rejecting the assertions made by the Miss Universe Organization and JKN Universe.

Mr Nawat was previously at the centre of controversy during the Miss Universe pageant in Bangkok in 2025. Following a confrontation with Miss Mexico and bullying allegations by other contestants, Miss Universe executives denounced his behaviour and he later made a tearful apology.

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20 September 2026