A COUNTY MP has spoken of his experience rubbing shoulders with the high and mighty in Thailand - as part of a mission to "sell Britain to the world".

Mark Garnier's frantic start to his new job as a minister for international trade can today be revealed, with the MP arriving back from a five-day overseas trip.

The Conservative was despatched to Burma and Bangkok for talks with high-level officials last week, including one of Thailand's deputy prime ministers.

It was the first British ministerial visit to Thailand since the 2014 military coup and will help inform trade negotiations going forward.

Mr Garnier, who was handed his Government role three weeks ago in Theresa May's reshuffle, said: "I had three days in Burma and two days in Bangkok, and it was a great experience in a job I'm absolutely chuffed to have.

"Before the referendum I was actually due to head to Burma anyway under my role as a trade envoy but as I was given my new job just a week or so before I was due to go, it seemed appropriate to still do it.

"The general sense is that people can't quite get their head around why we've done it (voted to leave the EU), but Britain is the fifth largest economy in the world, we're the fourth biggest exporter - this is an economy which is just extraordinarily successful.

"The rest of the world are so keen to trade with us - it might be an exaggeration to say they are all queueing up but so far it's gone rather well.

"The British brand is so important overseas, so I have to say I'm very optimistic about the future."

During his trip he staged talks with Somkid Jatusripitak, one of Thailand's five deputy prime ministers, who is responsible for economic matters in the huge nation.

Mr Garnier also fielded questions from Thai media, telling them there was no prospect of Mrs May holding a fresh in/out referendum.

The Wyre Forest MP told the Worcester News he wanted to make it clear what the Government's position is while on the trip.

He said: "We're not having the Brexit argument again or rehearsing those old debates. "Everyone knows what I campaigned for (to Remain), but the irony is I'm approaching this with such a huge sense of optimism.

"We've got lots of countries who want to do trade deals with us - what we've now got to do is get our head around it and work out what's possible.

"We need to secure trade deals on the best possible terms. I'm really optimistic and so pleased to be doing this extraordinary job."

During his stop in Myanmar, which has a population of 53 million people he took part in a lunch reception involving the chamber of commerce.

He also had talks with Thailand's education minister and held negotiations with a commerce minister about the prospects of a bilateral trade deal.

The department, which is brand new in the wake of the referendum vote, is headed up by International Trade Secretary Liam Fox.