Kuy, Kuay, Kuoy

Kuy, kh កួយ, th กูย, meaning "human being" in Kuy language; possible derivative of Thai/Lao suay, sui or suei, "those of pay tribute".

An indigenous ethnic group with native lands ranging from Khorat Plateau (Northeast Thailand) to the banks of the Mekong River in southern Laos and south to north central Cambodia. One of the "hill tribes", with more than 30,000 identified in modern Cambodia. Known as the "iron masters" of Ancient Cambodia, specializing in iron mining and processing, especially in the Kompong Thom/Preah Vihear area.

Kuy (often Kuay among contemporary linguists) is a Katuic language of the Mon-Khmer language family. Three major dialects of the Kuy language have been identified: ntra, ntua and mla.

Source

Edgar Boulangier, Un hiver au Cambodge, Paris, 1888.
Jean-Michel Filippi, Recherches préliminaires sur les langues des minorités du Cambodge, UNESCO/Funan publishers, Phnom Penh, 2007, 152 p.