any functionality for a "Thanks" or "Like" button (i.e. Facebook)?

You could just send a private message to the poster.

Drag - select the text you like, copy, click the poster’s user name, select “send a pm” from the dropdown menu, paste the text, add “That made me laugh!! Keep it up!”, click send.

I know, cumbersome. But until V-Bulletin adds a functionality I don’t think it has, it may be the best you can get.