Since 2017, there were at least two attempts of repatriation and Chinese officials were also involved in the process as China began mediating under a tripartite arrangement.
The paper says it is imperative that ASEAN and the international community step up their efforts to address the situation in Myanmar and hold the junta accountable.
The attack came barely a week after Indonesia said diplomatic progress was being made in the country.
Thailand has been careful not to directly criticise Myanmar’s military regime but recent events have made its support seem less tacit.
Referring to accusations of civilian casualties, a junta spokesman said “some people who were forced to support (the insurgents) probably died as well”.
UN rights chief Volker Turk said he was "horrified" by the deadly air strike, whose victims he said included schoolchildren performing dances.
In April 2021, Asean drew up a five-point consensus peace plan with Myanmar, but there has been little progress in restoring peace.
Thailand is said to be a quiet supporter of the Myanmar junta, a stance that has impeded the consensus-led 10-nation bloc. But this could change after Thai elections, analysts…
Top US official Derek Chollet, who will be visiting the region, has called the situation in Myanmar the greatest challenge that Asean has faced in some time.
There has been little progress towards restoring peace in Myanmar, which has been gripped by chaos and violence, with thousands killed.