Authorities in Thailand have apprehended a British yoga instructor for reportedly offering tantric sex classes at a cost of £10 near a popular dining spot.
The arrest of Maria Shchetinina, a 40-year-old British national, took place during a police raid at a restaurant in Koh Phangan on November 4. The intervention followed a tip-off from a Facebook user who alleged that Shchetinina was providing “sex yoga” sessions to foreign visitors for 400 baht each, equivalent to about £9.42 per individual.
Reports suggest that Shchetinina, operating under the pseudonym Maria Sky Love, was conducting the classes under the guise of being a yoga instructor, although her work permit stated she was a “customer relations manager,” rendering it invalid as per the authorities.
Allegedly, promotional materials for her classes indicated that they were scheduled every Tuesday from 4.30 to 6 pm at the Ethos restaurant and involved sexually suggestive movements.
Tantric yoga, known for its spiritual and erotic foundations, often incorporates sexual interactions within a ritualistic or yogic context. Shchetinina’s arrest was part of a broader crackdown by the police on undocumented foreign workers in Koh Phangan, renowned for its annual Full Moon Party.
During the arrest, Shchetinina reportedly claimed, “My lawyer said it’s ok, it’s good.” Subsequently, she was charged for engaging in unauthorized work activities not specified in her documents. Law enforcement officers seized teaching materials, enrollment tickets, flyers, notes, and a sign featuring her image and a QR code.
Lieutenant Colonel Winit Boonchit stated that Shchetinina’s actions breached the Foreigners’ Working Management Emergency Decree. He emphasized that her role as a tantric yoga instructor fell outside the permitted job categories, leading to her transfer to the inquiry officer for further legal procedures.
The police raid was initiated following reports from social media users about Shchetinina’s provocative online posts. Koh Phangan, known for its scenic beauty and expat communities, has earned a reputation as a popular holiday destination and a haven for alternative lifestyles.
Shchetinina’s arrest coincided with the apprehension of an Israeli couple, who were captured in a viral sex video at the island’s Wang Sai Waterfall, as per reports from Thai news sources. Authorities took the couple into custody at their accommodation on the island, where they confessed to the act, leading to potential legal repercussions for public indecency.
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