Chavay Kuy

Chavay Kuy (Khmer: ចៅហ្វាយ គុយ), also known as Oknha Son Kuy (Khmer: សឺន គុយ), was the governor of the Khmer province of Trapeang (now Tra Vinh). He was beheaded by King Thieu Tri of the Nguyen Dynasty in 1841, in exchange for preserving the cultural tradition for the Khmer Krom. Nowadays, the figure of Chavay Kuy has become a rallying call and a symbol of the separatist intent of the current Khmer Krom.

Chavay Kuy
Born
Oknha Son Khuy (legend)
Died1841
Kampuchea Krom
Nationality Cambodia
Other namesSon Kuy
OccupationGovernor of Trapeang province
Known forbeing executed by vietnamese

Life

Chavay Kuy joined the army at age 20. He married a Cambodian woman named Phoeun in Chap Phleung village, Preah Trapeang province, in the mondern-day province of Trà Vinh in Vietnam. He worked as a governor of that province which was still under the Cambodian king.

The Vietnamese came and oppressed the Khmers in what is now Southern Vietnam. Oknha Son Kuy had 5 close associates in arms: Phuchhuoy (or District Administrator) Kong, Mr.Meun Ek, Mr. Ta Mong, Mr. Tesa Saom (some called him Ansa Saom) and Mr. Ta Mono Ros. They courageously fought to deter the invading Vietnamese army alongside Oknha Son Kuy. Oknha Son Kuy was married in Preah Trapeang Provincial City to Miss Phoeun, daughter of Khmer farmers.

Death

Chavay Kuy was defeated and beheaded by the Vietnamese soldiers in 1841. His remains are in Preah Trapeang (Tra Vinh).

Last Words

“I am deeply moved to be seeing [our] compatriots and Buddhist monks before I depart this life. I beg for your forgiveness from [our] compatriots and their Venerable Buddhist monks for I did not possess sufficient ability to serve our Motherland any better. Therefore I must end my life so that our [Khmer] Nation lives on without an inch of remorse. Now our custom, tradition, culture and Khmer Buddhism have been defended. Therefore, may the Venerable Buddhist Monks and all compatriots preserve, defend, protect and guard them religiously from perishing. May the Venerable Buddhist Monks and compatriots remember and understand clearly that our Khmer race used to be superior and widely known throughout the world. Therefore we must be firm and united always, let us not believe the snares of the enemy, let us not sell ourselves to any enemy so that they can kill our own nation and compatriots for personal interests. In the end, I believe clearly that I, as an individual, I die, but there will be millions of future Khmer children and compatriots, highly patriotic and bravely willing to sacrifice, die, defend, protect, guard and preserve the national sovereignty, liberty, Buddhism and Khmer race so they can live on.”

Legend

In 1821, it is said that Chavay Kuy planted a rare chheu tree upside down. According to legend if the tree thrived, that would mean Khmer Krom would thrive as well. This tree is still identified by locals in Preah Trapeang province, in the mondern-day province of Trà Vinh in Vietnam.[1]

References
  1. "Chheu teal tree of Oknha Son Kuy". www.khmerkromngo.org. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
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