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น�้ ำท่วม ปัญหาโลกแตก The Journal of the Royal lnstitute of Thailand Volume 36 No. 4 Oct-Dec 2011 598 บรรณานุกรม มาลิทัต พรหมทัตตเวที. เทพนิยายที่เป็น พื้นฐานของวรรณคดี. กรุงเทพฯ : แสงจันทร์การพิมพ์; ๒๕๒๕. Burland, Cottic. North American Indian Mythology. London: Paul Hamlyn Limited; 1965. Christie, Anthony. Chinese Mythology. Feltham, Middlesex:Hamlyn House; 1968. Every, George. Christian Mythology. Feltham, Middlesex: Hamlyn House; 1970. MacCana, Proinsias. Celtic Mythology. Feltham, Middlesex: Hamlyn House; 1973. Osborne, Harold. South American Mythology. Feltham, Middle sex: Hamlyn House; 1968. Warner, Rex, (ed). World Encyclopedia of Mythology. Hong Kong: Mandarin Publishers Limited; 1975. (http://www.noahs-ark-flood.com/ mountain.htm สืบค้นเมื่อวันที่ ๒๕ ตุลาคม พ.ศ. ๒๕๕๔) (h t t p : / /www. r e l i g i ons .mbu . ac . t h html.part2/rel10p.3htm สืบค้น เมื่อวันที่๒๕ตุลาคมพ.ศ. ๒๕๕๔) (http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs flood/ myths.html สืบค้นเมื่อวันที่ ๒๙ ตุลาคม พ.ศ. ๒๕๕๔) Abstract Deluge: A Global Catastrophe Malithat Promathatavedi Associate Fellow of The Academy of Arts, The Royal Institute, Thailand The most devastating flood in the history of Thailand occurring in 2011 has brought about a great loss of lives and properties since the flood water covered an area approximately two-thirds of the country from north to south. A part of the flooding was the result of natural phenomena beyond human control. However, changes in nature are sometimes caused by man. For example, modern technologies lead to the destruction of the ozone layer, creating a greenhouse effect which in turn causes global warm- ing. The melting of the polar ice caps causes flooding. In Thailand deforestation and slash-and-burn type of farming cause the mountains to be denuded. Without trees to brace the flow of rainwater, landslide occurs. The filling up of canals and waterways to build roads and housings block the water from flowing out to the sea, causing the inundation to be severe and prolonged. The story of the deluge is not new. It has been in existence in the myths of many nations big and small all over the world. These stories are similar in the main points and may differ in some specific details. In ancient times people usually settled close to the seas or rivers for convenience in communication, transportation and trade. When the tide was high, it was natural for the water to overflow the banks and flood human settlements. It is therefore possible to make a hypothesis that at a certain time a deluge must have occurred at a global level, causing almost all lives on earth to perish. Ancient people thus believed that the deluge was God’s punishment for human sins. The reason why the human race was able to continue was because there were some good people who heeded God’s words and so they survived to perpetuate the human race. Key words : myths, deluge