Last weekend I did a test drive of the new MINI Cooper S Clubman including a trip to Hua Hin. The mini is an icon of British quality, design and manufacture and I was delighted with the car as was Lord Jones, Minister for Trade and Investment. He acted as my "chauffeur" for a drive on the Embassy compound during his official visit to Thailand last week.

We also rode Triumph motocycles during our visit to the Triumph plants in Chonburi. Triumph is one of the most famous names in the world of motorcycles. The main production plant is in the Midlands but given the growth in demand for the bikes worldwide, the Thai factories are expanding fast.

Lord Digby Jones, UK Minister for Trade and Investment, led a trade mission to Thailand from 25-27 March. During his visit, I was delighted to discover that one of the business delegation accompanying Lord Jones, David Grove, Chairman of Hill and Smith Holdings, supported the same football team as me  - West Bromwich Albion or the Baggies, particularly as the Minister supported our local rivals, Aston Villa!