Maria Shchetinina was arrested in Koh Phangan after she allegedly taught a tantric yoga class from the back of a restaurant, while holding a permit for another job
A British yoga teacher has been arrested in Thailand after she allegedly taught tantric sex classes for just £10 behind a popular restaurant.
Thai police said they arrested Maria Shchetinina halfway through a class while conducting a raid at the restaurant in Koh Phangan on November 4. The Brit, 40, was reportedly arrested following a tipoff from a Facebook user who claimed she was offering sessions of “sex yoga” to foreign tourists for 400 baht – around £9.42 per person.
It has been claimed she was conducting classes as a yoga teacher under the name Maria Sky Love while holding a permit for work as a “customer relations manager”, with police saying this invalidated the document.
A flyer allegedly advertising her classes said classes were held at the Ethos restaurant every Tuesday from 4.30 to 6pm. They are alleged to have included sexually suggestive movements.
Traditional tantric yoga has erotic an spiritual roots, and typically utilises sexual contact in a ritual or yogic context. Shchetinina was charged as part of a wider ongoing police crackdown on undocumented foreign workers on the island of Koh Phangan, which is famous for its annual all-night Full Moon Party.
She could be heard saying during the arrest: “My lawyer said it’s ok, it’s good.” She was later charged for carrying out work that was not listed on her documents. Cops seized teaching materials, enrolment tickets, flyers, notes and a sign that included a picture of her and a QR code.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Winit Boonchit said following the arrest that Shchetinina’s alleged behaviour “violates” the Foreigners’ Working Management Emergency Decree. He said: “The suspect’s behaviour violates the Foreigners’ Working Management Emergency Decree because working as a tantric yoga instructor is outside the permitted scope of jobs.
“She was charged for working as a foreigner outside the authorised scope and was handed to the inquiry officer at Koh Phangan Police Station for further legal action.”
He added the raid was conducted by police after social media users reported her risque posts. Koh Phangan is a popular holiday island that has adopted a reputatin as a “hippie paradise” thanks to its vast collection of beaches and reatreats, with expat communities drawn to its stunning Thai beauty.
Shchetinina’s arrest comes a few days after police arrested an Israeli couple seen in a viral sex video at the island’s Wang Sai Waterfall, Thai news site The Thaiger reported. Suriya Bunphon, the Koh Phangan district chief, ordered the unnamed couple’s arrested after footage of their broad daylight romp started to make the rounds on social media.
Police, accompanied by immigration officers, arrested the pair at their island accommodation, and they were taken to a local immigration office for questioning. Officials said the two had admitted to the act, and they now face legal proceedings over charges of committing an indecent act in public.
