A British woman has been arrested in Thailand for allegedly running ‘sex yoga’ classes on the island of Koh Phangan, a destination famous for its Full Moon Parties and alternative lifestyle tourism.
Maria Shchetinina, 40, who went by the name Maria Sly Love, reportedly held weekly tantric sessions for tourists in a space behind the Ethos restaurant.
She charged participants 400 baht, the equivalent of nine pounds, to learn meditation, tantric massage, and what she described as “sacred sexuality.”
Police raided the premises on 4 November following complaints from locals about social media posts advertising what authorities described as “sexually indecent” activities.
Body camera footage from the raid showed officers interrupting a session as Shchetinina instructed a group of students sitting cross-legged on yoga mats.
Officers examined her passport and work permit, which stated her occupation as a customer relations manager for a residential property management company.
They said her activities violated Thailand’s Foreigners’ Working Management Emergency Decree by performing work outside the scope of her authorised employment.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Winit Boonchit said the suspect was charged for working illegally and for conducting classes without permission. She was taken to Koh Phangan Police Station for further investigation.
Authorities also confiscated her teaching notes, flyers, enrolment tickets, and promotional materials displaying her image and QR code.
Local officials said the investigation began after reports surfaced about her “risque” online promotions. The case follows a similar incident earlier this year when a Polish YouTuber was arrested for hosting sex yoga sessions on the same island.
Koh Phangan, often described as a “hippie paradise,” has long attracted yoga enthusiasts, spiritual seekers, and partygoers drawn to its mix of serene beaches, bohemian communities, and psychedelic nightlife.
