Bangkok , Thailand ( CNN ) -- Thailand 's King Bhumibol Adulyadej has been hospitalized with a high fever and irregular blood pressure , the palace said Saturday . The king , who was admitted to a hospital in Bangkok on Friday evening , appeared to be improving . `` On Saturday morning , his medical team announced that after being administered antibiotics intravenously , his blood pressure stabilized and his fever dropped , '' the palace said in a statement . The 86-year-old is a member of the Chakri dynasty , which has occupied the Thai throne since the 18th century . The U.S.-born and Swiss-educated king is a deeply revered figure whose unifying appeal stretches across all elements of Thai society , from the rich urban elite to poor provincial farmers . He ascended to the throne in 1946 , and has reigned over more than 20 prime ministers , 17 military coups and 17 constitutions . CNN 's Kocha Olarn reported from Bangkok , and Faith Karimi wrote and reported from Atlanta .
The body was taken to a hospital in Bangkok . He has presided over more than 20 prime ministers .