BANGKOK — Thai Parliament voted on Thursday to reelect Anutin Charnvirakul as prime minister with 293 votes, exceeding a simple majority of the 498 members present. The leader of the Bhumjaithai Party secured his position after building a coalition with several other parties to form a governing majority.

Among the coalition partners is the populist Pheu Thai Party, which placed third in February's general election with 74 seats. The progressive People's Party, which finished second with 120 seats, has said it will not join the Bhumjaithai-led government and nominated a candidate for prime minister in what it described as a symbolic contest.

Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut received 119 votes after the People's Party nominated him in the symbolic contest. Eighty-six lawmakers abstained from voting, including Charnvirakul and Ruengpanyawut themselves.

Charnvirakul is expected to take office a few days after obtaining a formal appointment from King Maha Vajiralongkorn. A new cabinet is expected to be appointed in the following weeks.

Charnvirakul's Bhumjaithai Party won 191 seats in February's general election. Charnvirakul became prime minister in September after serving in the Cabinet of his immediate predecessor, Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

Shinawatra was forced out of office for an ethics violation regarding mishandling relations with Cambodia. Charnvirakul dissolved Parliament in December to call an early election after facing a threatened no-confidence vote.

His popularity surged following his self-presentation as a defender of the nation during the Thailand-Cambodia border conflict, which strengthened nationalist sentiment among voters. Thailand fought with Cambodia twice last year over competing territorial claims along their border.

The Constitutional Court said it would rule on whether last month's election should be invalidated. The case stems from a petition filed by the Ombudsman's Office against the Election Commission, alleging that barcodes and QR codes on ballot papers could compromise voter anonymity in violation of election laws requiring a secret ballot.

The House of Representatives has 500 members. A simple majority of the House of Representatives is required to elect a prime minister.