PREAB Sok was a famous author in Cambodia before Pol Pot Regime for Khmer, English, and Thai Books. He was born in Prek Thmey, Kien Svay (Kandal Province). His birth father was Mr. PREAB Phan; his birth mother was Mrs. CHEA Tho. He was also considered as adopted son by Mr. TITH Vong and Mrs. Moul who lived in Takeo Province. In 1950 he studied Khmer and Thai in Phnom Penh until the early 1955 in which he took the Bac I Pali examination. In the end of 1955, he went to pursue his study in Bangkok, Thailand that allowed him to receive Bac I English Certificate from London, England in 1956. As he studied much about Khmer, and English Language, in 1957 he was able to publish English-Khmer Dictionary which is being used throughout Cambodia until today. In 1962 he graduated from Bangkok University in the Bachelor of Arts majoring in Thai-English Literature. Then he returned to Cambodia and published many books more besides English-Khmer Dictionary such as Khmer-Thai-Khmer learning books, Khmer-Thai-Khmer Dictionary, etc. Nowadays, when Cambodian Students want to learn Thai, they decide to buy his republished books (by other publishers) selling in the market to study since his book is easy to understand and able for student to learn by themselves. Also, Thai People can choose to buy his books to learn Khmer Language. Final life for him was supposed to come as the establishment of Pol Pot Regime (1975-1979) in Cambodia on April 17th, 1975. “Good Legacy is being remembered and used forever!” “Let’s leave a legacy for next generation!”
By: POK Panhavuth
