New Delhi, March 19 -- The Thai Parliament convened Thursday as lawmakers prepared to vote for a new prime minister, more than a month after a general election that showed a conservative shift in the country's politics.

Incumbent Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is expected to secure enough support from the 500-member House of Representatives to remain in office. A simple majority is required to elect a prime minister.

Anutin's Bhumjaithai Party won 191 seats, according to official results, and has since built a coalition with several other parties to form a governing majority. Among its partners is the populist Pheu Thai Party, which placed third with 74 seats.

The progressive People's Party, which finished second with 120 seats, ha...