British Yoga Instructor Arrested on Koh Phangan for Leading ‘Sacred Sexuality’ Classes
Thai authorities charge the foreign national with illegal work as crackdown on unlicensed foreign instructors intensifies on the island
A British national, Ms Maria Shchetinina, aged 40, has been arrested on Thailand’s Koh Phangan island for conducting tantric yoga classes described locally as “sacred sexuality” without the correct work permit.
The event unfolded on Tuesday during a Tuesday-afternoon class behind a New Age restaurant, where authorities intervened following social-media tips about lessons advertised for 400 baht (approximately US$12) per session.
Police stated that although Ms Shchetinina held a work permit, it listed her as a customer relations manager at an accommodation firm—not as a yoga instructor.
Tourist-police inspector Winit Boonchit told local media that the practitioner’s activities breached the Foreigners’ Working Management Emergency Decree because teaching tantric yoga fell outside her authorised scope of employment.
The raid reportedly occurred after photos and a flyer circulated online featuring the teacher under the alias “Maria Sky Love” promoting what locals termed “sex yoga” to foreign tourists.
During the operation officers collected class tickets, flyers and instructional notes from the premises.
Ms Shchetinina was charged and transferred to Koh Phangan Police Station for further legal proceedings.
Koh Phangan is known for its backpacker culture, full-moon parties, and alternative spirituality however local authorities have increasingly cracked down on undocumented foreign workers, including unlicensed yoga and tantra instructors who operate outside regulated frameworks.
Residents have voiced frustration at programmes they say exploit both tourists and local regulations.
Ms Shchetinina, who teaches classes for foreign visitors that combine postures, breathwork and intimate partner exercises, remains in custody pending inquiry.
The case underlines Thailand’s sharper enforcement trend against foreign nationals undertaking jobs beyond their visa permissions and signals that operators of unconventional wellness programmes on Koh Phangan may face heightened scrutiny.
The investigation is ongoing and any further action, such as deportation or visa revocation, may follow after the formal hearing at the local police station.
The event unfolded on Tuesday during a Tuesday-afternoon class behind a New Age restaurant, where authorities intervened following social-media tips about lessons advertised for 400 baht (approximately US$12) per session.
Police stated that although Ms Shchetinina held a work permit, it listed her as a customer relations manager at an accommodation firm—not as a yoga instructor.
Tourist-police inspector Winit Boonchit told local media that the practitioner’s activities breached the Foreigners’ Working Management Emergency Decree because teaching tantric yoga fell outside her authorised scope of employment.
The raid reportedly occurred after photos and a flyer circulated online featuring the teacher under the alias “Maria Sky Love” promoting what locals termed “sex yoga” to foreign tourists.
During the operation officers collected class tickets, flyers and instructional notes from the premises.
Ms Shchetinina was charged and transferred to Koh Phangan Police Station for further legal proceedings.
Koh Phangan is known for its backpacker culture, full-moon parties, and alternative spirituality however local authorities have increasingly cracked down on undocumented foreign workers, including unlicensed yoga and tantra instructors who operate outside regulated frameworks.
Residents have voiced frustration at programmes they say exploit both tourists and local regulations.
Ms Shchetinina, who teaches classes for foreign visitors that combine postures, breathwork and intimate partner exercises, remains in custody pending inquiry.
The case underlines Thailand’s sharper enforcement trend against foreign nationals undertaking jobs beyond their visa permissions and signals that operators of unconventional wellness programmes on Koh Phangan may face heightened scrutiny.
The investigation is ongoing and any further action, such as deportation or visa revocation, may follow after the formal hearing at the local police station.
