I was quite ticked off when I tried to get a US licence and was told my state would not accept my Thai licence -- or an international one! I had to take the driving test again, after driving for 20+ years! (The examiner and I just drove around and BS'ed for a while.)
Still, once in Phuket a buddy tried to rent a jeep. The rental shop would not accept his UK licence or an international one. Fortunately, I had a Thai licence at the time, so I rented the jeep. I drove it out of the agency and out onto the highway. After about a mile, I pulled over and let my friend have his jeep. You never know what will happen with licences.
