A full military coup was underway in Thailand Thursday as the country’s Army chief announced the military was taking control from rival political groups, NBC News reported. General Prayuth Chan-ocha made the announcement in a televised broadcast carried on all TV channels and soldiers fired into the air to disperse thousands of pro-government "red shirt" activists. The move came after a meeting with all rival factions aimed at finding a solution to six months of anti-government protests. Thailand has seen at least 18 actual or attempted coups since 1932, when the country became a constitutional monarchy.
