When I last studied Thai -bloody ages ago, like 2006- you could choose how many hours a day/week you wanted to. Must I study a minimum of 15 hours a week for the Ed visa now? To get in and out of town on top of study, even 10 hours a week will be tricky. Would that invalid an Ed-visa if I went down that path?

The question is, "Will studying interfere with my recreation time"?

No it pertains to commuting in and out of the city, as some of us live on the outskirts of the capital. 3 hours of study a day with a break makes for a 6-hour day for some of us. That's a commitment which needs to be worked around. 

Try reading the original post again, and if possible, engage brain this time.