Keigo speaks with Japanese father by phone

Keigo Zato, a nineyearold boy, yesterday gave an interview to media after he had a phone conversation with his longlost Japanese father at the Japan embassy in Bangkok.

Katzumi Zato also said he did not have a new family.

Zato married a Thai woman a decade ago, and she gave birth to Keigo, who is now nine years old.

For reasons unknown to Keigo, Zato disappeared from his life. The young boy has in recent years shown his father's picture to every Japanese tourist he saw in his home province of Phichit.

The boy wants to see and hug his father again.

Keigo has lived with his aunt and maternal grandfather since his mother's death.

Since Keigo's case caught the media's attention earlier this month, the boy has received help from several organisations, including the Japan Embassy in Bangkok.

Yesterday marked the first time Keigo spoke with his father over the phone, which was made possible by the Japanese Embassy.

The phone conversation also took place at the embassy.

"Dad asked if I was tired," Keigo told a press conference after his muchanticipated conversation.

"He asked if I was fine."

Keigo said he was over the moon about having an opportunity to get in touch with his father.

His aunt, Pattama Jatupis, said the boy's father also sent a picture of a twoyearold Keigo to the embassy to show how his son had always been in his heart.

"It's a picture he took with his mobile phone many years ago. It shows he misses his son," Pattama said.

She said Zato expressed an intention to come to Thailand as soon as he was able.

"He said maybe in July or August. And he also wants to pay respect to the ashes of his late wife," Pattama said.

Keigo yesterday said he was deeply grateful to Her Majesty the Queen, who has expressed concern for him and instructed relevant agencies to help.

"I would also like to thank everyone for his or her help in my search for my dad," Keigo said. "I'm grateful, and I promise I'll be a good boy."

Meanwhile, Saifon Peungpinij yesterday called on the Japanese Embassy to expedite the search for her Japanese husband, too.

Saifon, 45, said she registered her marriage with Mikio Shimoto in 1996 and gave birth to his son, Shota, who is autistic.

"I lost contact with my husband four years ago. He used to send me a living allowance each month," Saifon said.

Saifon said she had asked the Japanese Embassy for help four times already.

"But I still have yet to hear from my husband," she said.

In Chiang Mai, Yamato Niimira also called for help in locating his Japanese father through the local Social Development and Human Security office.

"I'd be so glad if I could find my father," said Yamato, 10.