Wat Atsadang Nimit was built by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in the late 19th century. The King used it for meditation. Ko Si Chang was occupied by the French in 1893 and was the summer retreat of several Siamese kings, including King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) whose wondrous teak palace was moved in 1901 from Ko Si Chang to its present location in Dusit Park in Bangkok. The island is also home to a rare species of white squirrel.