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A cell phone in your tooth?
Pattaya’s resident
‘technologiste’, Liberty Computers Steve Dickens addressed PCEC on the 10th
of November on what the future will look like with new technologies under
development.
Would you like to have a cell phone implanted in your
tooth? Well, you might not choose to do so, but the technology may soon be
available, according to Steve Dickens, who spoke at the November 10 meeting
of the Pattaya City Expats Club. Steve is the Managing Director of Liberty
Computers here in Pattaya. He spoke about exciting developments in
technology - past, present and future.
Steve related how Gene Roddenberry, the creative genius behind the Star Trek
franchise, which began in 1966, dreamed up several new technologies which
today are reality. For example, the “communicator” used in the Star Trek
series in essence is the cell phone we know today. Also, the ear piece that
the Star Trek characters used for communicating wirelessly can found in
today’s Bluetooth technology. As well as the data storage devices we saw in
Star Trek episodes typify today’s flash drives. Further, teleportation,
which was used in Star Trek to beam people from one place to another, will
probably never happen in real life. However, he mentioned it has been done
with a single particle - “so you never know!”
MC Richard Silverberg presents
Steve with a Certificate of Appreciation for his excellent and informative
presentation.
Steve said that some dramatic new technologies are being
worked on today. A car that can fly is already in development; you should be
able to buy one by 2015, Steve explained, though the first ones might be a
tad expensive. When car flying machines take off, there will be lots of air
traffic. He explained that control of the machines will have to be taken
away from humans and given to computers; only computers will be fast and
powerful enough to handle the air traffic.
Will we be able to make people invisible, like they have done in Star Trek
and in the Harry Potter movies? Probably not, was Steve’s opinion. But he
directed the audience’s attention to a slide showing a woman dressed in
green. A “see-through” effect was achieved by placing a camera behind the
woman and projecting the image to the front of her body.
Member Ian Frame advises members
of the progress of the Family Tree Group, discussing the resources available
to help trace your ancestors. Ian’s research has uncovered many interesting
tidbits in the history of both family and others.
Steve then commented on the future for generating energy.
One being Hydrogen fuel cells, which have been in development for some time;
they will likely become an important source of fuel in five years time.
People are also working on nuclear fusion (the combining of atoms; like what
our sun does) as a fuel source. Steve predicted that this will be a reality
in about 5 - 10 years.
Further, an example of clean thermal energy conversion that scientists are
experimenting with is using the difference in temperature between the top of
our oceans (warmer) and the water underneath (colder) to boil a liquid with
a low boiling point, thus creating energy. For some of what he described to
the audience, he said that they are not yet economically viable as it
currently takes more energy to make the technology work than the energy the
technology produces. But that will change in time, he added.
Regarding computers, the sales of Personal Computers (PCs) have been falling
steadily for the last 18 months, Steve explained. For 2013, the sales of
smart phones and tablets have moved ahead of the sales of PCs. In his
opinion, by 2017, sales of smart phones and tablets will be way ahead.
However, Steve said, there are still things one can’t do on a tablet or
smart phone. Consequently, development work on PCs is far from over. He
mentioned that in a few years, computers will use liquid metal “blood” to
replace wires; the liquid will also keep the metal in the computer cool.
Further, PCs will become infinitely more powerful. Steve provided a few
other examples of developments in computer technology that may be around the
corner: (a) sensor-studded clothing for soldiers to track their movements
and vital signs; (b) a disposable electrocardiogram machine the size of a
Band-Aid to monitor a heart patient; and (c) contact lenses that function as
computer screens.
But a cell phone implanted in your tooth? Hey, it could be a whole new
product line for dentists.
Steve Dickens has lived in Thailand for over 10 years. Liberty Computers
specializes in point-of-sale and security systems, but it also serves the
home PC market. For more information, visit http://www.liberty
computers.asia/.
After Steve answered several questions from the audience, Master of
Ceremonies Richard Silverberg brought everyone up to date on upcoming events
and called on Roy Albiston to conduct the Open Forum, where questions are
asked and answered about Expat living in Thailand, especially Pattaya.
Find out more about the activities of the PCEC by visiting
www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com.
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Hard Rock Hotel presents new cafeteria,
restrooms to Huay Yai School
Children smile brightly whilst
enjoying their favorite ice cream given to them by Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya &
Hard Rock Cafe Pattaya.
Warunya Thongrod
Pattaya’s Hard Rock Hotel offered lunch and a place to eat it in to students at
Huay Yai School.
General Manager Jorge Carlos Smith and staff from the hotel and Hard Rock Cafe
presented the new cafeteria and hand-washing area to Principal Viroj
Ampornvichai Nov. 12. The hotel also provided lunch and a much-appreciated
dessert of strawberry ice cream to 250 children.
Smith said Hard Rock raised 940,000 baht to help the school after doing similar
projects for Ban Chark Nok School in Huay Yai and Ban Amphur School in Sattahip
last year.
Smith said the projects fall under the hotel’s motto of “Take Time to Be Kind.”
Viroj said the donation was much appreciated. The school’s previous cafeteria
was located on low-lying property, which flooded frequently. It also was old and
showing signs of wear.
“I thank the Hard Rock for being aware of the importance of development for
students since building a cafeteria is providing children with a clean place to
eat and a clean area to cook food, bettering nutrition for children to have good
health and grow.”
The Hard Rock also offered donations to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s
charities, including a truck to support the operations of the Children & Women
Protection Center.
Children show off the rock ‘n’ roll
symbol to thank Jorge Carlos Smith (right), General Manager of Hard Rock Hotel
Pattaya & Hard Rock Cafe Pattaya, shown here shaking hands with Viroj
Ampornvichai (left), director of Huay Yai School, during the presentation of the
new canteen.
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Chiang Mai Mail begins 12th year with solemn blessing ceremony
Xanxai Visitkul followed by Peter
Malhotra and staff chant prayers during the religious ceremonies.
Shana Kongmun
The Chiang Mai Mail held a blessing ceremony at the office on the 2nd
Ring Road on Wednesday, November 6, to bring continued success as the newspaper
entered its 12th year of publication. Attending the Buddhist ceremony that was
held by Phrakru Pipat Silplasangworn from Wat San Sai Moon was Managing Director
of the Pattaya Mail Media Group, of which the Chiang Mai Mail is a part,
Pratheep “Peter” Malhotra, founding partner Xanxai Visitkul, Elfi Seitz,
Executive Editor of the Pattaya Blatt and editors Nopniwat “Jae” Krailerg and
Shana Kongmun, as well as friends, family and staff of the Chiang Mai Mail and
Pimthong Accounting.
Phrakru Pipat Silplasangworn chanted in Pali while holding white “sai sin”
string which was later tied around the wrists of all the participants. As part
of the ceremony Xanxai poured lustral water into a bowl as the monk chanted in
Pali. Offerings were made to the monk to make merit and the front doors of the
office were then anointed by the monk to ensure good luck and good fortune. The
monk then blessed the gathered staff, friends and family with lustral water and
the sai sin sacred thread was tied around everyone’s wrist, to be worn to
represent the Buddhist Sutras as a constant reminder to act according to
Buddhist principles as well as for good fortune and happiness.
Phrakru Pipat Silplasangworn anoints
the Chiang Mai Mail office with holy markings.
Managing Editor Shana Kongmun,
Pattaya Blatt Executive Editor Elfi Seitz and Peter Malhotra join together with
Xanxai Visitkul as he performs the ritual of pouring lustral water while the
revered monk chanted in Pali.
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Four Chambers meet at Pullman Pattaya Hotel G
(L to R) Patrick Eger, Senior Sales Manager for Park
Plaza Sukhumvit Bangkok, and Veronique Sirault, General Manager of Park Plaza
Sukhumvit Bangkok.
Dr Iain Corness
The Pullman Pattaya Hotel G is certainly becoming one of the more popular venues
for networking on the Eastern Seaboard, despite its very long name! With
additional sponsorship from Diageo Mo¸t Hennessy (Thailand) Ltd., Cornerstone
Management Company Ltd., and The Regent’s School Pattaya, it had all the makings
of being an excellent event.
The British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT) invited the American Chamber
(AmCham), the Australian Chamber (AustCham) and the South African Chamber (SACC)
to the networking which was held around one of the Hotel G’s pools,
appropriately called the Pool Bar!
In contrast to the previous networking from the joint chambers, this one was
well attended, and everyone appeared to enjoy the social contact that these
evenings promote. Jina Phenix was promoting the new look BCCT magazine (The
Link) and it really is a most readable 60 page production from the chamber.
(L to R) Greg Watkins and Simon Matthews, Country
Manager Thailand, Manpower Group.
GM of the Pullman Pattaya Hotel G, Sophon Vongchatchatchainont, welcomed the
chamber members and guests to his hotel, ably assisted by Sales Manager Pum
(Chadaporn) Chomgrin and Sales Executive Fon (Kandakorn) Butarmart.
Executive Director from the BCCT, Greg Watkins, was interviewed on PMTV and did
not feel there was any real reason to feel that Thailand’s economy was in
danger. He pointed out that although there had been many problems in the past,
Thailand always bobbed up again, and despite 50,000 demonstrators in the streets
of Bangkok, in a population of 12 million, this was an insignificant number
percentagewise.
Of the sponsors, the Regent’s School Pattaya seemed to be the most prominent,
with the staff members being most enthusiastic over their joining a world-wide
educational conglomerate, with Katie Hongpetchrasmi, the PA to the principal
being one of the more “bubbly” people at the event. The Regent’s Scotsman Paul
McConnell played a fine foil to the PMTV Scotsman Paul Strachan, with both of
them somewhat on the vertically challenged scale!
The ‘real’ bubbly came with Nam Chayabat from Diageo Mo¸t Hennessy who had three
bottles of the most rare styled of Johnnie Walker Whisky on display.
Unfortunately they were dummy bottles!
It was very pleasing to see the up-beat attitude from the joint chambers, and
the BCCT was rewarded with one of the better turn-outs this year.
(L to R) Paul Wilkinson, GM of JVK International Movers
Ltd., and Mark Butters, Director, RSM Advisory Thailand Ltd.
(L to R) Markus Wehrhahn, Ben Mitchell, Kelly Mitchell,
and Rosanne Diamente.
(L to R) Brendan Daly, GM of Amari Orchid Pattaya,
Caroline Shen, Director of Corporate Sales & MICE for Pullman Pattaya Hotel G,
and Sophon Vongchat Chainont, general manager of Pullman Pattaya Hotel G.
(L to R) Samuel D Kennedy, Executive Director of
Emerging Markets Energy, Mark Parkins, Operations Manager for McConnell Dowell
Constructors Thai Ltd., and Kantiya Boonruang.
(L to R) Graham Macdonald, MBE, Dr. Iain Corness from
Pattaya Mail TV, and Chris Thatcher, group chairman Anglo-Thai Legal Co., Ltd.
(L to R) Marc Snell, Senior Mechanical Engineer Aurecon
Consulting (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Barry Ong, Senior Sales Manager SinCo
Technologies Pte Ltd., and Christian Puel.
(L to R) Michael Ruddick, President ARC Pacific Siam
Ltd., Gavin Ruddick, Operations Manager ARC Pacific Siam Ltd., and Michael
Grisaffi, Key Account Manager United Relocations (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
(L to R) Fon Sia, Aron Zimmer, Dipl.-Ing Softionses and
Toy & Handlines Transportation Technologies General Manager Intertek Testing
Services (Thailand) Ltd., Okko Sprey, Consultant PLUS Exploration Co., Ltd.
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