A yoga instructor from the UK was taken into custody in Thailand for allegedly conducting tantric sex workshops priced at £10 at the back of a popular eatery. Maria Shchetinina, a 40-year-old British national, was apprehended by Thai law enforcement during a class raid at a restaurant in Koh Phangan on November 4. The arrest reportedly followed a tip from a Facebook user claiming that she was offering “sex yoga” sessions to foreign visitors for 400 baht each.
Authorities mentioned that Shchetinina, operating under the alias Maria Sky Love, was teaching yoga despite holding a work permit as a “customer relations manager,” which was deemed invalid by the police. An advertisement flyer promoting her classes indicated weekly sessions at the Ethos restaurant featuring sexually suggestive movements.
The traditional practice of tantric yoga has historical ties to both eroticism and spirituality, sometimes incorporating intimate contact within a ceremonial or yogic framework. Shchetinina was charged as part of a broader law enforcement initiative targeting unregistered foreign workers on Koh Phangan, known for its renowned annual Full Moon Party event.
During her arrest, Shchetinina was heard stating, “My lawyer said it’s ok, it’s good.” Subsequently, she faced charges for engaging in unauthorized work activities not specified in her documents. Law enforcement officers seized instructional materials, enrollment tickets, promotional materials, notes, and a sign displaying her image along with a QR code.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Winit Boonchit emphasized that Shchetinina’s conduct violated the Foreigners’ Working Management Emergency Decree, as her role as a tantric yoga instructor fell outside the approved job categories. He confirmed that she was charged with working beyond the authorized scope and was transferred to the inquiry officer at Koh Phangan Police Station for further legal procedures.
The police operation was triggered by social media reports of her provocative online content. Koh Phangan, a sought-after vacation spot known for its picturesque beaches and wellness retreats, has cultivated a reputation as a haven for expatriate communities captivated by Thailand’s natural beauty.
This incident occurred shortly after authorities detained an Israeli couple featured in a viral sex video at Wang Sai Waterfall on the island. Following public outrage over the explicit footage circulating online, the couple was apprehended by law enforcement and immigration officers at their lodging. They confessed to the offense and are now facing legal repercussions for engaging in indecent behavior in a public setting.