A British woman allegedly teaching tantric yoga and “sacred sexuality” on Thailand’s Koh Phangan has been arrested for working illegally as authorities crack down on undocumented foreign workers on the island popular with foreign backpackers.

Maria Shchetinina, 40, was in the middle of a class conducted at the back of a New Age restaurant when police raided the premises on Tuesday, local media reported.

They had been tipped off by social media users reporting “risque” photos posted by a “Maria Sky Love” as well as an advertisement for tantric – dubbed as “sex yoga” by locals – classes for 400 baht (US$12) a session. The classes for foreign tourists, held on Tuesdays, allegedly include sexually suggestive poses.

Shchetinina was charged with working illegally as a yoga teacher, as her work permit stated she was a customer relations manager for an accommodation firm, tourist police inspector Winit Boonchit told the Bangkok Post newspaper.

“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,” he said, as quoted by the Mirror newspaper from the UK.

“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.”

Chalok Lam Beach on the north side of Koh Phangan, an island popular with New Age tourists around the world. Photo: Shutterstock