Composite courtesy of Naewna

 

Tourist police have arrested a British woman accused of organising and teaching “sex yoga” classes at a restaurant on Koh Phangan, charging participants 400 baht per session. She faces charges for working in Thailand without proper authorisation.

 

On November 5, 2025, reporters learnt that Pol. Lt. Winij Boonchit, inspector at Tourist Police Division 5, Sub-Division 2, Division 3, ordered local tourist police on Koh Phangan, Surat Thani Province, to inspect a restaurant in Moo 8, Koh Phangan Subdistrict, after receiving a tip. The informant provided screenshots from a Facebook account advertising “Tantra Yoga” classes to be held every Tuesday from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., with a 400-baht participation fee. The post described activities that appeared to involve sexually suggestive conduct.

 

Upon inspection, police found Ms. Maria, a 40-year-old British national, who presented a passport and work permit listing her occupation as a Customer Relations Manager for a company involved in property management. She was found conducting a class for foreign participants, sitting in a teaching position while guiding attendees through meditation and physical poses—including having some sit on her knees— and giving detailed explanations. Officers took her in for questioning, reported Channel 7.

 

Ms. Maria admitted to organising and teaching the Tantra Yoga sessions, stating that she acted as the instructor and collected a 400-baht fee per participant, sharing a percentage of the proceeds with the restaurant owner. Police also discovered that she had previously conducted a similar session at the same location on October 17, 2025.

 

A search of the premises uncovered further evidence, including:

 

• 5 class entry tickets,
• 12 flyers advertising “Tantric Massage for Couples,”
• 1 notebook detailing lessons on “Sacred Sexuality in Tantric Yoga,” and
• 1 promotional sign with Ms. Maria’s photo and a QR code contact link.

 

Authorities determined that Ms. Maria’s activities violated the Foreign Employment Management Decree, as her role as a “Tantra Yoga Instructor” was not included in her work permit. She was charged with working outside the rights permitted to foreign nationals and handed over to Koh Phangan Police Station for legal proceedings.

 

Previously, on March 24, 2024, Koh Phangan police had been monitoring groups of foreign nationals conducting yoga sessions with sexually explicit or inappropriate content advertised on social media. That earlier operation led to the arrest of a Polish YouTuber for offering similar “Tantra Yoga” or “Sex Yoga” classes, also charging 400 baht per person, and even promoting advanced courses for couples priced at 7,440 baht per pair. Authorities stated that such activities risk tarnishing the island’s cultural image and reputation as a tourist destination.

 

Pol. Lt. Gen. Saksira Phueak-arm, Commissioner of the Tourist Police Bureau, has instructed all tourist police units in major tourist areas and nearby provinces to intensify crackdowns on foreign nationals engaging in unlawful activities. He emphasised strict enforcement to protect Thailand's image and maintain confidence among tourists during the peak season and upcoming festivals.

 

Composite courtesy of Channel 7

 

Key Takeaways

 

• British woman arrested for conducting unauthorised "sex yoga" classes.
• She faces charges related to working without the correct permits in Thailand.
• Authorities are intensifying efforts to curb illegal activities by foreigners.

 

Related stories:

Official Sets Record Straight: Controversial 'Adult Yoga' Video Not shot in Thailand

Koh Phangan locals call for action against naked foreigner's "Naughty Yoga" sessions

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Channel 7 2025-11-05

 

 

9 minutes ago, webfact said:

British woman accused of organising and teaching “sex yoga” classes

 

groups of foreign nationals conducting yoga sessions with sexually explicit or inappropriate content

Outstanding 😂

 

Poor Thailand 😞

 

Was there any actual sex involved? Or nudity? 

Or are they basing their opinion on positions while fully clothed? 

Tantra yoga is a spiritual practice that integrates physical postures, breathing exercises, meditation, and rituals to awaken spiritual energy and consciousness

Balancing instincts: 

The goal is to balance and not renounce human instincts to reach spiritual enlightenment, often by building up and channeling kundalini energy through the chakras. 

Connection with the universe: 

It is a path to experiencing the oneness of the entire cosmos by exploring the body's inner world of energy. 

Body as sacred: 

It views the body and the world not as obstacles, but as integral parts of the divine. Therefore, it uses the body as a tool for spiritual growth, rather than seeking to transcend it. 

 

Common practices and techniques

Asanas: Physical postures are used to work with and direct energy within the body. 

Pranayama: Breath control techniques are central to the practice. 

Meditation: Practices often involve focused awareness on the body, breath, and energy. 

Rituals and other practices: These can include the use of mantras (sacred sounds), mudras (hand gestures), yantras (geometric diagrams), puja (worship), and visualizations of deities. 

 

So, with all this information about Tantra Yoga. How is it deemed SEX YOGA by the RTP and shedding Thailand in a bad light to the world for tourism? 

 

I think the RTP and the government went a little too far with this. 

Although, clearly the woman was working doing it without the proper license or work permit. 

Gave she private lessons for Prince Andrew too?

Can Thais do this or is this again a protected job as almost every job in Thailand is...If it is protected and no Thais can do it, you can't get a workpermit too as the labour office will not understand because it is what is not in their books... so the answer will be mai dai ka....

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Composite courtesy of Naewna

 

Tourist police have arrested a British woman accused of organising and teaching “sex yoga” classes at a restaurant on Koh Phangan, charging participants 400 baht per session. She faces charges for working in Thailand without proper authorisation.

 

On November 5, 2025, reporters learnt that Pol. Lt. Winij Boonchit, inspector at Tourist Police Division 5, Sub-Division 2, Division 3, ordered local tourist police on Koh Phangan, Surat Thani Province, to inspect a restaurant in Moo 8, Koh Phangan Subdistrict, after receiving a tip. The informant provided screenshots from a Facebook account advertising “Tantra Yoga” classes to be held every Tuesday from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., with a 400-baht participation fee. The post described activities that appeared to involve sexually suggestive conduct.

 

Upon inspection, police found Ms. Maria, a 40-year-old British national, who presented a passport and work permit listing her occupation as a Customer Relations Manager for a company involved in property management. She was found conducting a class for foreign participants, sitting in a teaching position while guiding attendees through meditation and physical poses—including having some sit on her knees— and giving detailed explanations. Officers took her in for questioning, reported Channel 7.

 

Ms. Maria admitted to organising and teaching the Tantra Yoga sessions, stating that she acted as the instructor and collected a 400-baht fee per participant, sharing a percentage of the proceeds with the restaurant owner. Police also discovered that she had previously conducted a similar session at the same location on October 17, 2025.

 

A search of the premises uncovered further evidence, including:

 

• 5 class entry tickets,
• 12 flyers advertising “Tantric Massage for Couples,”
• 1 notebook detailing lessons on “Sacred Sexuality in Tantric Yoga,” and
• 1 promotional sign with Ms. Maria’s photo and a QR code contact link.

 

Authorities determined that Ms. Maria’s activities violated the Foreign Employment Management Decree, as her role as a “Tantra Yoga Instructor” was not included in her work permit. She was charged with working outside the rights permitted to foreign nationals and handed over to Koh Phangan Police Station for legal proceedings.

 

Previously, on March 24, 2024, Koh Phangan police had been monitoring groups of foreign nationals conducting yoga sessions with sexually explicit or inappropriate content advertised on social media. That earlier operation led to the arrest of a Polish YouTuber for offering similar “Tantra Yoga” or “Sex Yoga” classes, also charging 400 baht per person, and even promoting advanced courses for couples priced at 7,440 baht per pair. Authorities stated that such activities risk tarnishing the island’s cultural image and reputation as a tourist destination.

 

Pol. Lt. Gen. Saksira Phueak-arm, Commissioner of the Tourist Police Bureau, has instructed all tourist police units in major tourist areas and nearby provinces to intensify crackdowns on foreign nationals engaging in unlawful activities. He emphasised strict enforcement to protect Thailand's image and maintain confidence among tourists during the peak season and upcoming festivals.

 

Composite courtesy of Channel 7

 

Key Takeaways

 

• British woman arrested for conducting unauthorised "sex yoga" classes.
• She faces charges related to working without the correct permits in Thailand.
• Authorities are intensifying efforts to curb illegal activities by foreigners.

 

Related stories:

Official Sets Record Straight: Controversial 'Adult Yoga' Video Not shot in Thailand

Koh Phangan locals call for action against naked foreigner's "Naughty Yoga" sessions

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Channel 7 2025-11-05

 

 

Another Brit....

one day "Randy Andy".....the other day "Randy Maria".....Maybe they met some time before..😁

Maria Shchetinina, 40, the British national, Hardly a British household name, 

 

In a separate operation, on November 3, tourist police detained two Azerbaijani nationals, Aflan Almas and Sarkhan Jumshudlu, both 33, for allegedly working as electricians without work permits. They probably saved a few fire on the island 

What will be the consequences ?

Will she get deported ?

Thailand relies so heavily on tourism, this girl was attracting tourists, she was promoting Thailand - providing a service ................ what is so negative about that, Thai authorities need to stop this nonsense  and  let free enterprise go, they already got a wake up  call from Trump - do what ever  is good for Thailand before its too late, I bet this cleaver girl goes to another asian country and makes a successful business............with a middle finger to Thailand  for behaving like children

11 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

What will be the consequences ?

Will she get deported ?

you know...........she will pay up and if she's smart she will take her business elsewhere  - Thailand is not for her or anyone else that wnats to develop  a business.................not in Thailand they don't get it with their child mentally 

Sometimes law enforcement goes after people who are creating problems perpetrating crimes and causing harm to the public in this particular case they completely lost the plot and their persecuting somebody who is doing something spectacularly innocent. In a land where a sex for sale is so common, they're going after someone teaching tantric yoga. How ridiculous, juvenile, trite, purile, unnecessary and silly can the cops get? 

 

 

 

 

I see 4 customers in the picture - 1,600 baht.

 

WAZ IT WORTH IT?

 

3 hours ago, smedly said:

you know...........she will pay up and if she's smart she will take her business elsewhere  - Thailand is not for her or anyone else that wnats to develop  a business.................not in Thailand they don't get it with their child mentally 

if she was smart she would have had the correct paperwork in place . Nothing about "child mentality" on the part of the authorities who were simply doing their job.

 

4 hours ago, smedly said:

Thailand relies so heavily on tourism, this girl was attracting tourists, she was promoting Thailand

She was not attracting tourists,  they were already here ,  neither was she promoting Thailand with her ridiculous pantomime show

21 hours ago, LudwigK said:

Gave she private lessons for Prince Andrew too?

Only if she was under 16 years old at the time.

15 hours ago, ChipButty said:

They probably saved a few fire on the island 

As the first person, the first westerner, I knew that died in Thailand, was due to lights being installed in his yard, near his fish pond by "thai electricians"  and his resulting electrocution. "Saved a few fires", may not be the case.  

11 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Sometimes law enforcement goes after people who are creating problems perpetrating crimes and causing harm to the public in this particular case they completely lost the plot and their persecuting somebody who is doing something spectacularly innocent. In a land where a sex for sale is so common, they're going after someone teaching tantric yoga. How ridiculous, juvenile, trite, purile, unnecessary and silly can the cops get? 

 

 

 

 

She was working illegally, as she had no work permit.  No different to a teacher doing the same thing.

8 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Sometimes law enforcement goes after people who are creating problems perpetrating crimes and causing harm to the public in this particular case they completely lost the plot and their persecuting somebody who is doing something spectacularly innocent. In a land where a sex for sale is so common, they're going after someone teaching tantric yoga. How ridiculous, juvenile, trite, purile, unnecessary and silly can the cops get? 

 

 

 

 

The issue was , that she  was working without a permit,  the ongoing crackdown about that has been publicly announced regularly on the news.   

Vulgar post removed 

 

@twizzian

22 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Can Thais do this or is this again a protected job as almost every job in Thailand is...If it is protected and no Thais can do it, you can't get a workpermit too as the labour office will not understand because it is what is not in their books... so the answer will be mai dai ka....

Quite right too 

15 hours ago, ChipButty said:

Maria Shchetinina, 40, the British national, Hardly a British household name, 

 

In a separate operation, on November 3, tourist police detained two Azerbaijani nationals, Aflan Almas and Sarkhan Jumshudlu, both 33, for allegedly working as electricians without work permits. They probably saved a few fire on the island 

Useful comments. Thanks! 

22 hours ago, thesetat said:

So, with all this information about Tantra Yoga. How is it deemed SEX YOGA by the RTP

I think the "sex Yoga" term was  probably  dreamed up by who ever wrote the article for obvious "shock headline " value      I seriously doubt it was the RTP 

Anyway the whole business is a load of rubbish, practised by the sort of people who attribute "special powers" to crystals  and wear "dream catchers" when they go to sleep.

At 400B per person  it seems it was quite a successful scam.  they have probably saved stupid and gullible tourists a fortune, which they can now spend on "hair braiding"    "Henna tattoos"  and of course "elephant pants"  hopefully provided by those entitled to do so

23 hours ago, webfact said:

Upon inspection, police found Ms. Maria, a 40-year-old British national, who presented a passport and work permit listing her occupation as a Customer Relations Manager for a company involved in property management.

I'm pretty sure that work permit would not stand up to scrutiny either   

"Customer relations manager"  really ?  

The issue was , that she  was working without a permit,  the ongoing crackdown about that has been publicly announced regularly on the news.    1

Thumbs down as much you like pal  it does not change the validity of my comment 

I became suspicious when we spent 20 minutes in the downward-facing dog pose and ruined our Lululemons. 

 RTP acting, as ever, with great courage and dedication 'protecting Thailand's image'. 

Looks like they caught her with her nickers down!.....good work,boys! 😁

Good to see a major police operation get another kingpin dangerous underworld criminal off the streets of Koh Phangan I am sure the residents, expats and tourists alike will feel much safer with this menace to society not poisoning the cultural heritage of the country with this filth and destroying the reputation and image of this country with erotic yoga, I know a few sois that need to be shut down completely first if we are going down this route 🤣

She must have pi$$3d some sneaky <deleted> off to grass her up to the rozzers over 400 baht a session tantric yoga that's like kids playground I'm telling my dad on you stuff that! I hate snitches!

On 11/5/2025 at 9:53 AM, thesetat said:

Was there any actual sex involved? Or nudity? 

Or are they basing their opinion on positions while fully clothed? 

Tantra yoga is a spiritual practice that integrates physical postures, breathing exercises, meditation, and rituals to awaken spiritual energy and consciousness

Balancing instincts: 

The goal is to balance and not renounce human instincts to reach spiritual enlightenment, often by building up and channeling kundalini energy through the chakras. 

Connection with the universe: 

It is a path to experiencing the oneness of the entire cosmos by exploring the body's inner world of energy. 

Body as sacred: 

It views the body and the world not as obstacles, but as integral parts of the divine. Therefore, it uses the body as a tool for spiritual growth, rather than seeking to transcend it. 

 

Common practices and techniques

Asanas: Physical postures are used to work with and direct energy within the body. 

Pranayama: Breath control techniques are central to the practice. 

Meditation: Practices often involve focused awareness on the body, breath, and energy. 

Rituals and other practices: These can include the use of mantras (sacred sounds), mudras (hand gestures), yantras (geometric diagrams), puja (worship), and visualizations of deities. 

 

So, with all this information about Tantra Yoga. How is it deemed SEX YOGA by the RTP and shedding Thailand in a bad light to the world for tourism? 

 

I think the RTP and the government went a little too far with this. 

Although, clearly the woman was working doing it without the proper license or work permit. 

 

Simple solution would have beento teach a young thai girl how to do it and get a contract frm her that wherever she teches X% goes to the farang teacher.  

 

If it involves the word sex, foreigners and work it is going to be a red light for police.

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

Sometimes law enforcement goes after people who are creating problems perpetrating crimes and causing harm to the public in this particular case they completely lost the plot and their persecuting somebody who is doing something spectacularly innocent. In a land where a sex for sale is so common, they're going after someone teaching tantric yoga. How ridiculous, juvenile, trite, purile, unnecessary and silly can the cops get? 

 

 

 

 

 

Is this a picture of another British tourist?  Or is it just Guy Fawkes?