This is an image of Venus.
Click on image for full size
NASA/JPL
Volcanic Formations of Venus
One reason scientists think that Venus has a thick crust comes from the shape of the volcanoes of Venus. (This is a different reason than in the case of Mars).
In the long time in which the volcanoes exist, there has not been a form of erosion called "slumping". Over time, volcanoes slump, like icecream in a dish which is left out too long. An example of slumping is found on Jupiter's moon Callisto.
This means that the crust of Venus has a significant amount of strength to it, and cannot be bent or deformed, as in the case of the Earth. Thus the lithosphere cannot subduct. It stays in place and thickens by cooling gradually.
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