He was beheaded by Emperor Thiệu Trị of the Nguyễn 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.

Oknha Son Kuy was married in Preah Trapeang Provincial City to Miss Phoeun, daughter of Khmer farmers.

[2] Following his decapitation, an uprising of Khmer Krom peasants suffered from the retaliation of the Vietnamese authorities without any supports from King Ang Duong.

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.”Along with other mythical heroes of Cambodia such as Khleang Moeung, "Oknha Son Kuy" was chosen as the name of one of the non-communist resistance group in the 1970s.

Son San had served as prime minister under Sihanouk and had led a major faction of the resistance against post-Khmer Rouge Vietnamese occupation of Cambodia.

[7] The completion of Oknha Kuy's stupa became a symbol for the healing of the racial rift between Kampuchea Krom and Vietnam.