Thai and Malaysian police have launched a joint rescue effort to help three Thai fishermen being held for ransom by pirates who recently abducted them in the Straits of Malacca. The three were identified as Rorhim Ali, 43, Boonlert Prommul, 50, and Wanmudtalem Madlem, 37. They were reported to be captains of Malaysian-owned fishing boats.They were abducted by pirates in the Straits of Malacca on July 25 while sailing in international waters between Indonesia and Malaysia, police said. The pirates, believed to be holding the three in Aceh province in Indonesia, are demanding 1.2 million baht in ransom for each man.