AP PHOTOS: Collecting sap to make palm sugar is an arduous, and less appealing, job for Cambodians

Chin Choeun spends nearly 12 hours a day collecting sap from palm trees that he and his wife turn into palm sugar. The 54-year-old boasts of being one of Cambodia's most skilful palm tree climbers, having learned the skill from his father. But after 36 years scaling tree after tree, Choeun plans to retire in the next couple of years, because of age-related safety concerns. “It was a job that I took over from my father. It was his legacy, and I don’t want it to end because of me. but I know that it will be over after me,” Choeun said. The job is not appealing to his sons and grandsons because it is both hard work and it is dangerous. Young people in Cambodia's rural areas have more options for earning a living, unlike Choeun’s generation, which had only farm work. Many have moved away in search of jobs in big cities, and even to other countries like Thailand, South Korea or Japan. “I regret that my sons and grandsons cannot succeed me, but I respect their decision,” said Choeun,...