Cambodia on Monday warned against any Thai attempt to block maritime routes in the Gulf of Thailand, calling such actions a serious violation of international law, as the border conflict between the two countries enters its ninth day with escalating tensions both on land and at sea.

The Cambodian Ministry of Defence warns: “aggressive” attacks by the Thai army have forced more than 54,550 civilians to flee their homes in Military Regions 4 and 5 — that’s 16,598 families. The provisional toll, as of 11 a.m. Tuesday, reports seven civilian deaths and twenty wounded, mainly in the provinces of Oddar Meanchey (three killed, eight wounded), Preah Vihear (three killed, ten wounded) and Banteay Meanchey (one killed, two wounded).

The ongoing tensions on the border between Thailand and Cambodia aren't just causing diplomatic friction: they're also hitting trade hard, disrupting a cross-border market that had been booming until now.