Subjet : To friends & colleagues of Dr. Michael Vickery
Date : Thu, 29 Jun 2017 22:32:47 +0700
Re : Michael Vickery <[email protected]>

Dear friends & colleagues of Michael,

As you may know Michael has not been well of late and has recently moved back to Cambodia.
With regret wish to inform you that Michael passed away today at 11 am in Battambang.

From tomorrow 30 June, until Monday, 3 July, you are welcome to attend his funeral at the following address:

162-G08 Rue Watt kdol TakoyVillage.Sangkat kdoldautev Krong.battambang Battambang province

With love,
Mimi
(foster daughter of Michael)

Work on Southeast Asian history

Vickery's research and writings have concentrated on ancient and modern history of Cambodia and Thailand[3] with publications ranging from early history to contextual studies and interpretations of recent and contemporary Cambodia - being one of only a handful scholars, who comprehensively examined regional events during the 1980s.[4]

Vickery essentially contributed to and helped to extend[5] the scholarly debate of the Pre-Angkorian kingdoms,[6] the classic age and the dark ages of Cambodia, introducing and integrating the works of the Cambodian scholars Khin Sok and Mak Phoen by utilizing their alternative view-points.[7] On the basis of volumes of previously non-deciphered epigraphic inscriptions, Vickery elaborated on the fact, that many works of earlier scholars, "...written 20 years ago may be simply refuted by the discovery or the deciphering of a [new] inscription". and further: "To study nowadays Cambodian history with [Georges] Coédès would amount to do geography with Ptolemy".[8]

1984 he published his "carefully researched"[9] book "Cambodia 1975–1982" that covers the years of the Pol Pot era and its immediate aftermath. The work has since become a standard reference text on the Khmer Rouge Canon and Cambodia's Civil War decades before and after.[10]

Although Vickery, as a member of the Bulletin of Concerned Asian Scholars is often labelled a "Marxist" historian[11][12] by some scholars, he is considered to be and regularly cited as a "Cambodia expert"[13] and one of the "leading historians"[14] on Cambodian history.[15]

Vickery in the Bulletin Of Concerned Asian Scholars, Volume 21, 1989:

"My first contribution (1982) to BCAS [Bulletin Of Concerned Asian Scholars] was on CIA falsification of Cambodian statistics. I believe the task of BCAS should be to counter U.S. regime misinformation and mainstream self-censorship, and provide well-researched progressive information on Asia and the Pacific...[sic]"[16]

Vickery contributed a number of columns for the Phnom Penh Post from 1992 to 2007[17] during which time he engaged in political debate.[18] In 2008 it was announced, that he had been working with former Khmer Rouge foreign minister Ieng Sary’s defense team at the Khmer Rouge Tribunal, serving as an analyst and historical expert.

RIP , Michael. We lost one more historian of Cambodia. Big lost..





What a sad news! We lost a scholar who could speak Khmer fluently and has a great knowledge on Khmer History. May your soul rest in Peace, Prof. Michael <(





RIP, my academic advisor! We lost a real historian about Cambodia.





I met Michael in Penang in 1991 when he was at the Universiti Sains Malaysia. He came across as an opinionated, unreconstructed Marxist who made no bone about supporting the then State of Cambodia. When he asked me why i supported the reconciliatory role of Preah Karuna Norodom Sihanouk i explained how cambodia needed normalcy and historical continuity more than perfect political leaders. Rest In Peace Prof Vickery, I have enjoyed and gained so much insights from your books and articles over the years.





This is very sad news! He was one of my best professors who has inspired me tremendously. May he rest in peace!​ He will be always remembered!





Very sorry to hear. Many condolences. He was a fascinating and charismatic man and a great scholar.





Deep condolences to his family. He was a remarkable intellect who has left a positive imprint on Cambodia. His works have helped many get to know & love Cambodia.





Feeling great sadness at the news of Michael Vickery`s passing. He was a great teacher, historian and friend. I admired him and he provided wonderful leadership. I will remember him. Don Hein





Michael Vickery, the brilliant historian of pre-modern Cambodia, passed away yesterday in Battambang. I've been rereading his pre-Angkor book lately, and it's reminded me how his work shaped nearly everything I've said or written about the inscriptions. A real loss for Khmer Studies.





Sad news, Michael Vickery has passed away. The last of the renegade Marxist historians of Southeast Asia. End of an era.





It's strange how those we look up, perhaps venerate, move on ... one way or the other. There's a whole generation of scholars of S E Asia who are no longer active or around and the world seems poorer for it. Vale Michael Vickery.





Dr. Michael Vickery, author of “Cambodia 1975–1982”, passed away at the age of 86 on 11 AM on June 29, 2017, in Battambang, in his beloved country of Cambodia.





Heritage Watch learned today of the passing of former and founding Board Member Dr Michael Vickery in Battambang. Michael was a man of great intellect and widely respected for his work on ancient and modern history. He spoke many languages fluently and had a rich and fascinating life and contributed so much to Cambodia and Southeast Asia more broadly. The current board of governors wish to express their deepest condolences to the friends and family of Michael during this sad time.





RIP to lose one well-known scholar & historian of ancient #Cambodia ​Michael Vickery https://t.co/pmCAoUBDGb





Ave Atque Vale, Hail and Farewell Dr. Michael Vickery, PhD, historian and researcher who loved Cambodia. His publications and his support for young Cambodian researchers are his legacy. Thankyou Michael.





Sorry indeed. Still, when people ask me what to read about that period of Cambodian history, I tell them that if they read only one book on the topic, it should be Cambodia 1975 - 82





Those who have studied and are studying at IFL have gone and are going through his book in year one, The History of Southeast Asia.

His history book is one of the most compelling historical reports, to me, for he analyzed all of the empires' political economy, relation and situation in each timeline of history of Southeast Asia.

My condolences to Michael Vickery